Comment on Why aren't they using drones and more automation?
The_Picard_Maneuver@startrek.website 1 year ago
In the original series episode I just watched, they reference that they’ve sent out tons of unmanned drones/probes to map out systems and planets, but starships are enormous and better equipped, so they follow up on any readings from the probes that seem interesting. If there’s an in-universe answer that isn’t “it makes better television”, I’d say it’s a combination of:
Space is really, really big, so probes are only covering small areas anyway.
Their mission is to explore and contact new life, which is more likely to be successful with a human touch.
Space is really, really big, so probes are only covering small areas anyway.
That’s backwards. Probes can always cover a vastly larger area than manned ships, so needing to cover more area is always a reason to invest in more probes rather than dumping resources into a handful of very expensive ships.
which is more likely to be successful with a human touch.
Andorians, and Tellarites: “Are we a fucking joke to you!?”
Vulcans: “We must expend great effort to suppress our feelings of amusement at all of you.”
*Federation civil war begins
Also, a lot of the niches served by drones are already covered by AI driven holograms. If you're not worried about bulky hardware and can supply holo-emitters on the cheap via replicators why wouldn't you?
arquebus_x@kbin.social 1 year ago
Have you met us? ;)