Multitronics
The M-series multitronic system was invented by Doctor Richard Daystrom in the mid-23rd Century, and was designed to supersede and replace duotronics.
Doctor Daystrom developed a method of impressing brain engrams onto the computer's circuits, allowing it to think in the manner of a humanoid mind.
- This was the first attempt at placing a fully independent artificial intelligence system on a starship.
- This meant that the system would allow the entire starship to run without the need for a crew, controlled only by the computer.
The first four multitronic units were failures, but the fifth generation (dubbed M-5) was the first considered advanced enough for actual field testing.
M-5 was installed aboard the USS Enterprise in 2267. Its test was also a failure, resulting in the destruction of two test vessel. No further tests were conducted and the project was later abandoned.
- Destroyed:
- Woden, an unmanned robot ship
- USS Excalibur, a Constitution class heavy cruiser
After M-5, Star Fleet became very wary of using computers in this manner.
Although starships of the future would be able to be run under nearly total automation, starship command decisions have never again been placed in the hands of a machine.
