Has Star Trek ever had any battle droid-like entities?

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While Star Trek has had android characters for some time (most notably Data and his Soong-type brethren), and we do see that such androids take part in combat from time to time, I realized that I can't recall ever seeing any purpose-built artificial combat creatures - that is, creatures that are made specifically to fight in a similar way that ordinary biological lifeforms do, whether hand-to-hand, with melee weapons, or with ranged weapons like phasers or disruptors.



I thought of the following, but they don't really match:



  • The Jem-Hadar. They are a purpose-bred fighting force, but they are specifically biological creatures, built by the Dominion using genetic engineering, not mechanical or robotic.

  • The Borg. They are not all specifically bred specifically for combat, and their biological side is of critical importance in the story.

  • Nanites. They are established as a civilization that finds itself fighting from time to time for their own survival, not a purpose-built army.

Did Star Trek ever portray an army of combat robots, androids, or droids in the manner of the Trade Federation droid army in Star Wars or similar? That is, I am generally talking about some civilization fielding a fighting force consisting of large numbers of mechanically assembled creatures purposely built for combat, or at least testing out small numbers of such creatures with an eye to building an army, not a civilization occasionally re-purposing an existing general purpose or otherwise non-combat android for combat detail.



If a civilization deployed purpose-built mechanical creatures in a quasi-military or paramilitary context such as law enforcement, that can count.






star-trek robots androids







share|improve this question



















  • 1




    There is dreadnought, but that's more of a cardassian cruise missile with an AI plugged in that what your looking for. There's also the emergancy command hologram which might count where it mechanical rather than holographic.
    – Ummdustry
    3 hours ago






  • 2




    @Ummdustry - Both considered and rejected for my answer. They're individual examples, not generic fighters
    – Valorum
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    Another one to add to your "close but no cigar" list are the genetically enhanced soldiers from TNGs The Hunted episode. Also DS9 had the biological based Harvesters in the Armageddon Game.
    – DanK
    2 hours ago











  • Considering that Angosians are humanoids, I wouldn’t even say they’re “close.”
    – Ham Sandwich
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    Oh, so this somewhat related question is kind of cool. Explains why there isn't a whole lot of robotic characters (militarized or otherwise).
    – DanK
    2 hours ago
















up vote
19
down vote

favorite












While Star Trek has had android characters for some time (most notably Data and his Soong-type brethren), and we do see that such androids take part in combat from time to time, I realized that I can't recall ever seeing any purpose-built artificial combat creatures - that is, creatures that are made specifically to fight in a similar way that ordinary biological lifeforms do, whether hand-to-hand, with melee weapons, or with ranged weapons like phasers or disruptors.



I thought of the following, but they don't really match:



  • The Jem-Hadar. They are a purpose-bred fighting force, but they are specifically biological creatures, built by the Dominion using genetic engineering, not mechanical or robotic.

  • The Borg. They are not all specifically bred specifically for combat, and their biological side is of critical importance in the story.

  • Nanites. They are established as a civilization that finds itself fighting from time to time for their own survival, not a purpose-built army.

Did Star Trek ever portray an army of combat robots, androids, or droids in the manner of the Trade Federation droid army in Star Wars or similar? That is, I am generally talking about some civilization fielding a fighting force consisting of large numbers of mechanically assembled creatures purposely built for combat, or at least testing out small numbers of such creatures with an eye to building an army, not a civilization occasionally re-purposing an existing general purpose or otherwise non-combat android for combat detail.



If a civilization deployed purpose-built mechanical creatures in a quasi-military or paramilitary context such as law enforcement, that can count.






star-trek robots androids







share|improve this question



















  • 1




    There is dreadnought, but that's more of a cardassian cruise missile with an AI plugged in that what your looking for. There's also the emergancy command hologram which might count where it mechanical rather than holographic.
    – Ummdustry
    3 hours ago






  • 2




    @Ummdustry - Both considered and rejected for my answer. They're individual examples, not generic fighters
    – Valorum
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    Another one to add to your "close but no cigar" list are the genetically enhanced soldiers from TNGs The Hunted episode. Also DS9 had the biological based Harvesters in the Armageddon Game.
    – DanK
    2 hours ago











  • Considering that Angosians are humanoids, I wouldn’t even say they’re “close.”
    – Ham Sandwich
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    Oh, so this somewhat related question is kind of cool. Explains why there isn't a whole lot of robotic characters (militarized or otherwise).
    – DanK
    2 hours ago












up vote
19
down vote

favorite









up vote
19
down vote

favorite











While Star Trek has had android characters for some time (most notably Data and his Soong-type brethren), and we do see that such androids take part in combat from time to time, I realized that I can't recall ever seeing any purpose-built artificial combat creatures - that is, creatures that are made specifically to fight in a similar way that ordinary biological lifeforms do, whether hand-to-hand, with melee weapons, or with ranged weapons like phasers or disruptors.



I thought of the following, but they don't really match:



  • The Jem-Hadar. They are a purpose-bred fighting force, but they are specifically biological creatures, built by the Dominion using genetic engineering, not mechanical or robotic.

  • The Borg. They are not all specifically bred specifically for combat, and their biological side is of critical importance in the story.

  • Nanites. They are established as a civilization that finds itself fighting from time to time for their own survival, not a purpose-built army.

Did Star Trek ever portray an army of combat robots, androids, or droids in the manner of the Trade Federation droid army in Star Wars or similar? That is, I am generally talking about some civilization fielding a fighting force consisting of large numbers of mechanically assembled creatures purposely built for combat, or at least testing out small numbers of such creatures with an eye to building an army, not a civilization occasionally re-purposing an existing general purpose or otherwise non-combat android for combat detail.



If a civilization deployed purpose-built mechanical creatures in a quasi-military or paramilitary context such as law enforcement, that can count.






star-trek robots androids







share|improve this question















While Star Trek has had android characters for some time (most notably Data and his Soong-type brethren), and we do see that such androids take part in combat from time to time, I realized that I can't recall ever seeing any purpose-built artificial combat creatures - that is, creatures that are made specifically to fight in a similar way that ordinary biological lifeforms do, whether hand-to-hand, with melee weapons, or with ranged weapons like phasers or disruptors.



I thought of the following, but they don't really match:



  • The Jem-Hadar. They are a purpose-bred fighting force, but they are specifically biological creatures, built by the Dominion using genetic engineering, not mechanical or robotic.

  • The Borg. They are not all specifically bred specifically for combat, and their biological side is of critical importance in the story.

  • Nanites. They are established as a civilization that finds itself fighting from time to time for their own survival, not a purpose-built army.

Did Star Trek ever portray an army of combat robots, androids, or droids in the manner of the Trade Federation droid army in Star Wars or similar? That is, I am generally talking about some civilization fielding a fighting force consisting of large numbers of mechanically assembled creatures purposely built for combat, or at least testing out small numbers of such creatures with an eye to building an army, not a civilization occasionally re-purposing an existing general purpose or otherwise non-combat android for combat detail.



If a civilization deployed purpose-built mechanical creatures in a quasi-military or paramilitary context such as law enforcement, that can count.






star-trek robots androids




star-trek robots androids






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




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edited 12 mins ago









Laurel

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2,79611325










asked 7 hours ago









Robert Columbia

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  • 1




    There is dreadnought, but that's more of a cardassian cruise missile with an AI plugged in that what your looking for. There's also the emergancy command hologram which might count where it mechanical rather than holographic.
    – Ummdustry
    3 hours ago






  • 2




    @Ummdustry - Both considered and rejected for my answer. They're individual examples, not generic fighters
    – Valorum
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    Another one to add to your "close but no cigar" list are the genetically enhanced soldiers from TNGs The Hunted episode. Also DS9 had the biological based Harvesters in the Armageddon Game.
    – DanK
    2 hours ago











  • Considering that Angosians are humanoids, I wouldn’t even say they’re “close.”
    – Ham Sandwich
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    Oh, so this somewhat related question is kind of cool. Explains why there isn't a whole lot of robotic characters (militarized or otherwise).
    – DanK
    2 hours ago












  • 1




    There is dreadnought, but that's more of a cardassian cruise missile with an AI plugged in that what your looking for. There's also the emergancy command hologram which might count where it mechanical rather than holographic.
    – Ummdustry
    3 hours ago






  • 2




    @Ummdustry - Both considered and rejected for my answer. They're individual examples, not generic fighters
    – Valorum
    3 hours ago






  • 1




    Another one to add to your "close but no cigar" list are the genetically enhanced soldiers from TNGs The Hunted episode. Also DS9 had the biological based Harvesters in the Armageddon Game.
    – DanK
    2 hours ago











  • Considering that Angosians are humanoids, I wouldn’t even say they’re “close.”
    – Ham Sandwich
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    Oh, so this somewhat related question is kind of cool. Explains why there isn't a whole lot of robotic characters (militarized or otherwise).
    – DanK
    2 hours ago







1




1




There is dreadnought, but that's more of a cardassian cruise missile with an AI plugged in that what your looking for. There's also the emergancy command hologram which might count where it mechanical rather than holographic.
– Ummdustry
3 hours ago




There is dreadnought, but that's more of a cardassian cruise missile with an AI plugged in that what your looking for. There's also the emergancy command hologram which might count where it mechanical rather than holographic.
– Ummdustry
3 hours ago




2




2




@Ummdustry - Both considered and rejected for my answer. They're individual examples, not generic fighters
– Valorum
3 hours ago




@Ummdustry - Both considered and rejected for my answer. They're individual examples, not generic fighters
– Valorum
3 hours ago




1




1




Another one to add to your "close but no cigar" list are the genetically enhanced soldiers from TNGs The Hunted episode. Also DS9 had the biological based Harvesters in the Armageddon Game.
– DanK
2 hours ago





Another one to add to your "close but no cigar" list are the genetically enhanced soldiers from TNGs The Hunted episode. Also DS9 had the biological based Harvesters in the Armageddon Game.
– DanK
2 hours ago













Considering that Angosians are humanoids, I wouldn’t even say they’re “close.”
– Ham Sandwich
2 hours ago




Considering that Angosians are humanoids, I wouldn’t even say they’re “close.”
– Ham Sandwich
2 hours ago




1




1




Oh, so this somewhat related question is kind of cool. Explains why there isn't a whole lot of robotic characters (militarized or otherwise).
– DanK
2 hours ago




Oh, so this somewhat related question is kind of cool. Explains why there isn't a whole lot of robotic characters (militarized or otherwise).
– DanK
2 hours ago










1 Answer
1






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up vote
21
down vote













Offhand I can think of at least two examples, both of which killed their creators




  • The Cravic Automated Personnel Units from VOY: Prototype.




    3947: When it was anticipated that the war would end, the Builders no longer required our services and they intended to terminate us. In doing so, they became the enemy. We are programmed to destroy the enemy. It is necessary for our survival. Now that you have constructed a prototype, we will soon outnumber the Cravic units. We will achieve victory.



    enter image description here





  • The Minosian 'Advanced Weapons System' from TNG: Arsenal of Freedom




    "Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Perfection in highly advanced
    weaponry. Versatility, flexibility, and everything one hundred percent
    guaranteed! So, lock onto my signal and beam on down! Because we don't
    just provide weapons, we provide complete weapons sys-"



    enter image description here








share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago







  • 1




    More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 3




    Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago











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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

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up vote
21
down vote













Offhand I can think of at least two examples, both of which killed their creators




  • The Cravic Automated Personnel Units from VOY: Prototype.




    3947: When it was anticipated that the war would end, the Builders no longer required our services and they intended to terminate us. In doing so, they became the enemy. We are programmed to destroy the enemy. It is necessary for our survival. Now that you have constructed a prototype, we will soon outnumber the Cravic units. We will achieve victory.



    enter image description here





  • The Minosian 'Advanced Weapons System' from TNG: Arsenal of Freedom




    "Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Perfection in highly advanced
    weaponry. Versatility, flexibility, and everything one hundred percent
    guaranteed! So, lock onto my signal and beam on down! Because we don't
    just provide weapons, we provide complete weapons sys-"



    enter image description here








share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago







  • 1




    More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 3




    Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago















up vote
21
down vote













Offhand I can think of at least two examples, both of which killed their creators




  • The Cravic Automated Personnel Units from VOY: Prototype.




    3947: When it was anticipated that the war would end, the Builders no longer required our services and they intended to terminate us. In doing so, they became the enemy. We are programmed to destroy the enemy. It is necessary for our survival. Now that you have constructed a prototype, we will soon outnumber the Cravic units. We will achieve victory.



    enter image description here





  • The Minosian 'Advanced Weapons System' from TNG: Arsenal of Freedom




    "Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Perfection in highly advanced
    weaponry. Versatility, flexibility, and everything one hundred percent
    guaranteed! So, lock onto my signal and beam on down! Because we don't
    just provide weapons, we provide complete weapons sys-"



    enter image description here








share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago







  • 1




    More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 3




    Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago













up vote
21
down vote










up vote
21
down vote









Offhand I can think of at least two examples, both of which killed their creators




  • The Cravic Automated Personnel Units from VOY: Prototype.




    3947: When it was anticipated that the war would end, the Builders no longer required our services and they intended to terminate us. In doing so, they became the enemy. We are programmed to destroy the enemy. It is necessary for our survival. Now that you have constructed a prototype, we will soon outnumber the Cravic units. We will achieve victory.



    enter image description here





  • The Minosian 'Advanced Weapons System' from TNG: Arsenal of Freedom




    "Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Perfection in highly advanced
    weaponry. Versatility, flexibility, and everything one hundred percent
    guaranteed! So, lock onto my signal and beam on down! Because we don't
    just provide weapons, we provide complete weapons sys-"



    enter image description here








share|improve this answer












Offhand I can think of at least two examples, both of which killed their creators




  • The Cravic Automated Personnel Units from VOY: Prototype.




    3947: When it was anticipated that the war would end, the Builders no longer required our services and they intended to terminate us. In doing so, they became the enemy. We are programmed to destroy the enemy. It is necessary for our survival. Now that you have constructed a prototype, we will soon outnumber the Cravic units. We will achieve victory.



    enter image description here





  • The Minosian 'Advanced Weapons System' from TNG: Arsenal of Freedom




    "Minos, the arsenal of freedom. Perfection in highly advanced
    weaponry. Versatility, flexibility, and everything one hundred percent
    guaranteed! So, lock onto my signal and beam on down! Because we don't
    just provide weapons, we provide complete weapons sys-"



    enter image description here









share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 6 hours ago









Valorum

380k10027663002




380k10027663002







  • 1




    There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago







  • 1




    More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 3




    Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago













  • 1




    There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago







  • 1




    More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 3




    Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
    – Xantec
    5 hours ago






  • 1




    @Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
    – Valorum
    5 hours ago








1




1




There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
– Xantec
5 hours ago




There are also the warheads from VOY 'Warhead'.
– Xantec
5 hours ago




1




1




@Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
– Valorum
5 hours ago





@Xantec - I considered those. They're a robotic body with the scan of a humanoid brain inside. There's no good evidence that they were widely used.
– Valorum
5 hours ago





1




1




More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
– Xantec
5 hours ago




More widely produced than, say, Dreadnaught, even if their deployment was accidental.
– Xantec
5 hours ago




3




3




Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
– Xantec
5 hours ago




Another possible answer is the planet killer from TOS.
– Xantec
5 hours ago




1




1




@Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
– Valorum
5 hours ago





@Xantec - Also considered and discarded; "...an army of..."
– Valorum
5 hours ago


















 

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