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Automatics
Automatics are a class of non-sapient machine capable of operating independently. They are broadly similar to drones; the accepted distinction is that automatics are person-like in form and tasking, while drones are not. Automatics are able to make decisions at a tactical level, but lack emotion, a sense of self-identity, and self-determining personality.
History
The first human-made automatics were developed as automatic soldiers during the Colonisation Era. Corporations such as Eridani Systems, Inc. and Anaplian Cybertechnologies built automatics both for their own use, and for the use of the United Nations. Automatics were well-suited to early interstellar missions, as they were unaffected by the long travel times, as well as being compact and highly capable in EVA.
From the combat models, other types were developed, intended for tasks such as maintenance and construction. These helped ease the burden on early settlers, particularly on planets with harsh conditions.
Continued improvement of automatic independence led, during the War Era, to the first fully intelligent artificial humanoids, the Jiangshi. These new soldiers effectively replaced the earlier combat automatics, though the non-combat models continued to play a large, though often unnoticed, part in galactic industry.
During the Post-War Era, automatics became more visible. With the rise of city-level AIs, automatics operating as sub-units of those AIs took over most city services, acting on behalf of the city to carry out maintenance and assist citizens.
The Quiet Era
In the Quiet Era, several of the new galactic nations developed their own models of civil automatics, reflecting their philosophies and aesthetics. While visually distinct, and given different names, these automatics continued in the same role as those of the Post-War Era, acting as agents of cities, stations, and ships to provide everyday services.