AIs and Rigging Options

[SleepIncarnate]

Ok, odd and slightly random question. Could an AI incorporate maneuver/pilot autosofts into its list of programs to use for controlling drones that it chooses to jump into? For example, rather than spending BP or karma to get pilot ground craft, instead buy a specific Maneuver program for say a GMC Bulldog Van? Or would they instead get pilot groundcraft to apply to all ground drones and then say pilot exotic craft (drone) or a similar piloting skill for like flying drones or the like?

[AndyZ]

There's a Piloting Origin positive quality for AIs. For 5bp you can rig, and for 10bp you can use autosofts. Page 91 Runner's Companion.

As for what type you need, I'm under the impression that a single Maneuver Groundcraft autosoft can figure out any type of groundcraft, but you need separate autosofts in order to have watercraft, aircraft and anthroform. Having one of each of the four, though, should be enough to handle anything but truly exotic vehicles.

[Neraph]

And if it's AI PCs you're talking about, that's why they are allowed to take skills and specialize.

[Aerospider]

Ok, odd and slightly random question. Could an AI incorporate maneuver/pilot autosofts into its list of programs to use for controlling drones that it chooses to jump into? For example, rather than spending BP or karma to get pilot ground craft, instead buy a specific Maneuver program for say a GMC Bulldog Van? Or would they instead get pilot groundcraft to apply to all ground drones and then say pilot exotic craft (drone) or a similar piloting skill for like flying drones or the like?

Autosofts are meant to be analogous to skills and it does irrefutably say that there exists a maneuver autosoft for each piloting skill (e.g. groundcraft), so autosofts are not specific to the vehicle. Fluff-wise, this is because the autosoft is just about the processing of data - it doesn't actually do any driving.

It's pilot programs which are made with the vehicle in mind. The pilot program of a GMC Bulldog is going to struggle with driving a car and would have a really tough time with a stabilised racing bike even though they all fall under the same skill categorisation. It would have no idea what to do with a submarine. I don't remember where the passage is (AFB right now) but it suggests the GM apply DP penalties for improper pilot programs based on the level of difference. Not that this is of any concern to an A.I..