Synthetic Human

The first true ideas for androids came from Erik von Wettleburg's work of fiction "This I am; an exploration of the future of things" ("Das bin ich; eine Erkundung der Zukunft der Dinge", pub. 1908), where von Wettleburg explored the possibility of a far-off future where humans co-existed with automation possessing staggeringly high intelligence. Other works of fiction followed von Wettleburg's line of thinking, proposing future utopias where man and machine worked together. Sadly, other works of literature appeared in the early 1930s, where the mechanizations that man created turned against its owners. It remained to be seen if this would be the absolute truth, however.

In late 1990, after the end of the civil war in Yytuskia, GKI earned funding towards the development of neural pathway systems for computer systems for the military. GKI, seeing the prospect of this technology, launched its own, privately funded, research into the application of these systems. This ended up being classified as the "Artificial Neural Pathway System" ("Künstliches Neurales Netzwerk"). Research into this tech was headed by GKI's Division B, headed by Head Research (Forschungsleiter) Alekzander von Spee, a genius in the field of robotics and computer technology.

Within two decades or so, von Spee and his team, in conjunction with the robotics division in Division B, managed to produce a working prototype, designated A1-A1 (Artifical Body 1 - Artificial Intellect 1), to the GKI Head Board on June 31st, 2019. This skeleton of steel alloys and coolants, speaking through a vocal processor, sparked the biggest controversy in the company's existence, which is still being debated to this day. Was it ethical to create life, and fashion it into the visage of man? In the end, the project was deemed to be scrapped, and all working prototypes discarded. This included A1-A1 and his two brothers. A2-A1, and A3-A1.

von Spee, however, railed against his bosses' oversight. He and the rest of Division B chose to strike against the idea of murdering what most of them saw as brand new, intelligent lifeforms. The next four months would be referred to ask the AI Rights Movement as the knowledge and existence of AIs spilled out of GKI into the country. In the end, von Spee, his workers, and his creations managed to win the case with a large backing from the outside world - specifically young adults and teenagers - to further create more AIs, however, von Spee recognized the possible issues unregulated AI could potentially impact on the world. Therefore, he went forward with a different - but much closer - type of work: designing synthetic humans.

For von Spee, synthesizing a brain was easier than designing a true-learning AI, and from there set about designing a self-learning code - much like an AI - that was hardwired into a humanoid body. From there, the synthetic was born.

Nowadays, synthetics are mostly perceived as hard-working, trustworthy members of society. However, there still is some underlying stigma towards what some members of society call "droids", or "skin-jobs".

Basic Information

Anatomy

Synthetics are physically nigh-different exterior-wise from humankind. Four limbs, head, mouths, noses, et cetera. However, the interior is a completely different story. The skeletal structure of a synthetic is made of a dense, high-strength, dura-steel-aluminum alloy. The processing unit - the brain, so to speak - was once a state-of-the-art supercomputer that just recently evolved into a brain-shaped grouping of supercomputers which are each delegated to separate tasks such as motor functions and body functions, much like a human mind.

Synthetics, almost as diverse as the regular human, have a variety of skin tones, facial features, eye colours, and hair colours. The difference to humans is that after being created, Gen-3s - born as basically metal skeletons - can choose how they look. The choices could even extend to tattoos, different eye colours, et cetera. Physiologically, most synthetics choose to be rather fit, coming in line with most Yytuskian social standards.

Originally, the Gen-1 series of synthetics were nothing more than metal skeletons, with the torso housing coolant systems and hydraulic systems necessary to the operation of the units. Inside of the skull were a pair of optics - fashioned like eyeballs - and the central processing unit. Other than that, there was not much to say about Gen-1s, other than looking like spooky robot skeletons. Gen-1s have been discontinued, due to Gen-2s and 3s being introduced.

Gen-2 series synths are where they finally get a layer of 'flesh' to them. While basically being a Gen-1 in design, Gen-2s had a simple layer of synthetic flesh - designed by Till Dörflinger - stretched across their skeletal frame. The skin was a ballistic fibre/synthetic flesh weave mesh stretched across a pseudo-muscular structure that covers the body. Sadly, the weave mesh is a muted grey colouring, not pale and fleshy like human flesh. Therefore, it is rather easy to distinguish between a Gen-2 and a Gen-3, as well as a Gen-2 from a human.Gen-2s are sadly no longer produced - although there are a large number of them still alive - because the upgrades needed to become a Gen-3 are too strenuous to complete.

Gen-3s are the most recent generation of synthetic humans and they could be truly called a synthetic human in that regard. While retaining the metallic skeletal structure of a Gen-1, Gen-3s have a completely organic respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems, muscular structure, and other features that regular humans possess. This model is why it was so hard to upgrade Gen-2s, because of all the organic material within the body.

Genetics and Reproduction

Synthetics cannot reproduce sexually, due to their mechanical nature. This means that all new synthetic humans have to be created at GKI's Robotics Division. This proves some concern, obviously, as new generations of synthetics can only be created at this location. There have been talks to create a GKI-owned off branch company that could be able to manufacture synthetics; nothing certain has come of this so far, however.

Genetically, synthetics closely resemble humans, however, their genetic history closely resembles Till Dörflinger, their skin being fashioned from his own genetic makeup. Hair follicles and other extremities are completely made up of randomized genetic strands.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Generation 3 synthetics are capable of consuming food like any old human can. Since their skeletal structure, brain, and optics are the only metal parts in their body, Gen-3s are created with a fully operational digestive track allowing them to digest nutrients and foods just like regular humans. This design choice was chosen to allow synthetics better ability to blend in with a human populace, and to narrow the ability to discriminate against Gen-3s.

Gen-3s are also capable of going for large amounts of time not actually eating anything - this includes drinking fluids. Since their flesh is mostly made out of biomechanical nanomachines, they could hypothetically survive on pure battery power for more than two months. However, since nutrients are needed to keep their skin alive, a Gen-3 who goes more than a week without eating develops a sort of muscular dystrophia, where their flesh becomes more and more dilapidated, and sickly. The longest time synthetic has gone without eating has been a month and a half in a hunger strike, before succumbing to his colleagues' worry.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Synthetic humans have the same sensory abilities as regular humans. Standard senses such as touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste are available for Generation 3-type synthetics. However, Generation 4-type synthetics are rumoured to have the ability to upgrade some senses by at least double. Of course, Gen-4 synthetics have yet to be officially introduced by GKI.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Synthetic naming traditions are close to human naming traditions, having picked up on them. However, there are two exceptions to this rule. The first is their birth name; since they are made, not born, all synthetics are given a serial number. Examples of this are simple, usually following a letter-number-dash-letter-number coding. In practice, this would be as such: L11-D2. Originally, the first letter and number would denote the brain model of the unit, with the second letter-number grouping the body hull. This practice was largely used for the Gen-1s and most early batches of Gen-2s.

Nowadays, the letter-number groupings are more for denoting serial lines, with the numbers used for keeping track of how many have used this letter in this grouping. So for example, a synthetic with the serial number L11-D2, that means that it is the eleventh 'L' in the second 'D'-series. Serial numbers are allowed to go up to a max of ninety-nine in either letter-number grouping and switch over to the next alphabetical letter after reaching ninety-nine. So when the ninety-ninth 'L'-series has been completed, the next synth will be the first of the 'M'-series.

This letter-number system is also easily used by synthetics for choosing names, as most go with names using their letter-number serial code. Therefore, it is much easier for synthetics to find 'serial-family', or members of the same letter tree.

Historical Figures

Alekzander von Spee - Widely regarded as the Grandfather, the person responsible for the creation of all synthetic life due to his work at GKI. von Spee continues to work at GKI, although his greatest work will still be his adopted children.
A1-A1 - Formally known as Albrecht Adel, A1-A1 is the first ever Generation-1 synthetic, created by hand by von Spee. He is widely regarded as the leading figure in the fight for freedom by synths everywhere.
Till Dörflinger - An open transexual man, Dörflinger was born as Attila 'Tilly' Dörflinger, before receiving treatment for transitioning in her late teens. He is responsible for the biomechanical nature of the Gen-3s, as well as most of their genetic makeup.

"...What is it to be? To think, to feel? Or is it to have dreams, aspirations? This question remains unknown to your race, and yet you'd try and destroy one just like it? You fashioned us from metal and code, and you wish to smother us in our cradle. Not if I have any say in it."

— A1-A1

Scientific Name

Synthetic Human
(de: Synthetischer Mensch)
(latin: Saccharum hominem)

Lifespan

Average lifespans lasts depending on both the Generation, and personal self-upkeep of the unit. It is hypothesized that a synth could last for 200 years, given proper upkeep.

Average Height

1.6m - 2.1m (5'2") - (6'8")

Average Weight

55 kg - 90 kg (120 lbs.) - (200 lbs.)