Synthetic (Earth-2124)

Synthetics, also known as androids or artificial persons, the latter which some synthetics prefer to be referred as, are biomechanical artificially intelligent humanoids, essentially robots that closely mimic humans physically and in behavior. They constitute a huge market that is widespread through human colonies.

Development
The first proto-synthetics were developed and fielded by Borgia Industries in 2165. These models, known as Ulysses, were huge and bipedal, resembling more a mechanical robot rather than a human, featuring a humanoid driver at its core. They were used by the recently founded United Nations Space Command against the Koslovics and the Settlement Defense Front during the Interplanetary War as infantry units and riot repression. However, many were captured and used by the extremist cells.

Widespread use
By the 2210s, synthetics became incredibly advanced, to a degree they became externally indistinguishable from a human. The Weyland Corporation developed the Michael/Angela series, introduced in 2225, and both male and female versions were identical to humans of the two sexes. The model was followed by the improved Muhammed/Yukio model. During this time, the use of androids for combat and military use was deemed illegal, and as per the Three Laws of Robotics, a synthetic should not harm a human being, however, many companies, such as Hahne-Kedar, illegally manufacture combat androids, many of which are used by the Office of Naval Intelligence as guards and henchmen. With the widespread use of synthetics, ethical questions came in play, as they were forms of complicated artificial intelligence, behaving like humans. However, they are still currently classified as property, although their usefulness and cost serves as a reminder to anyone who sees a synthetic as expendable.

In the late 2400s, the second generation of synthetics, known as Autons, were created. These new androids were manufactured by other synthetics, being more durable, functional, and resilient, all which expanded the synthetic market to new directions. Autons not only integrated into military and overall civilian life, but also carried human-centrist visions in relation to society, such as politics and religion.