version 4 - The Alien Encyclopedia

David 7: The seventh version of the David android series by Weyland Industries, which started productionon July 6, 2068. By the time of the 7 model, the David android was an advanced replicationof a human being with complex emotional programming. Weyland Industries would proceed to deploythousands of David 7 androids all over Earth. In 2071, a limited number of David 7 units withserial numbers 5000 and 6000, types A through C, displayed malfunctions in their capabilities to recognizeand interpret human emotions. The incidents linked to the malfunction were limited to afew dozen, mostly located on Earth and Luna. After the malfunction had been brought to the attentionof Weyland Cybernetics Repair Stations, Weyland Cybernetics issued a public response on June14, 2071, announcing that it would collect the androids and investigate the malfunction. Buyerswere offered a replacement free of charge or the option to buy a next-generation model at a discountprice. (PR:WIW)David 8: The most recent and advanced version of the David android manufactured by Weyland Industries.Is 1.87 meters tall and weighs 86 kilograms. Sports a cadmium endoskeleton that is able towithstand up to 500 kilograms of compression force and that comes with a lifetime guarantee. Featuresa Polymer-encased brain stem component and is powered by zero-loss lithium cells. Is able tolift up to around 350 kilograms, has astonishing hand-to-eye coordination, mobility and flexibilityand knows several common sports. Has advanced visual sensor with a magnification feature for afactor up to 30x and the capability to adapt to low-light environments. David 8 constantly monitorshis systems and functions and, unlike previous models, also maintains himself.A major new feature is his powerful emotional capabilities, able to recognize, process and emulate awide range of complex emotions. His module for emotional expressions is built around eight coreemotions: Anger, confidence, disgust, joy, sadness, curiosity, trust and a neutral mode which can beactivated should circumstances require actions and assessment unclouded by human emotions. David8's intelligence is rated equal to 10 degree 20 neurons (or 200 petaflops), which is twice as highas human intelligence, and his memory is virtually unlimited. Linguistic features include fluency inany known language and the ability to analyze and infer unknown languages. A global mapping featureallows for advanced navigation. All these features make interactions with David 8 virtually indistinguishablefrom those with a human partner, but at the same time enable him to do a widerange of tasks a human cannot perform.Among the key sites of the development of David 8 was the Weyland Cybernetics Logic Design andResearch Facility on the planet HD 202206 bm. After core development had been finished, Davidunderwent a two-trial phase in the civilian and commercial sector on Earth. This was accompaniedby a heavy-duty testing program on off-world colonies, such as working at a titanium mining operationson the planet KOI-252.01. Long before its public release, the android was a resounding success.A publicity announcement released on December 23, 2072, reported that preorders have exceededeven analyst expectations. After release, the production line became notable when Sir PeterWeyland included a reprogrammed David 8 android in the crew roster of the Prometheus mission in2091. This android would play a vital role during the LV-223 incident in 2093. (PR, PR:WIW)David 8 (Prometheus crew member): A David 8 android who was part of the ill-fated mission ofthe research vessel Prometheus to LV-223 in 2093. Featured an altered programming to accommodatethe hidden agenda of Peter Weyland, turning him into an unpredictable and sometimes ruthlessindividual. Liked the movie Lawrence of Arabia, though it is unknown whether this quirk applied tothe whole line or just this model.For almost everyone involved in the Prometheus mission, this David 8 seemed to be a regular partof the crew. Only Meredith Vickers was aware of the hidden agenda involving Peter Weyland, whohad secretly joined the mission hoping that the Engineers would grant him immortality. To assist hismaker in this goal became David's main objective to which all other aims, even the survival of thecrew, became secondary. Despite the fact that Weyland's daughter, Vickers, was also in on his plans,Weyland, fearing intervention from her, ordered David to act on his own and keep his findings forhimself.