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traveller:goldenage:tech

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Technology

Some notes on technology.

Tech Levels

I'm used to technology levels in GURPS, which are a bit different to those in Traveller, so I've clarified things here for my own use, for what a typical culture of a given tech level would be like. A basic overview is available in the Traveller Wiki, but I'm trying to pull together multiple sources to get a comprehensive list of technology.

Note that I assume that a Tech Level is pretty much what a world can produce or at least maintain itself, not necessarily what is available. A world on a major trade route will tend to have easy access to whatever technology is available on neighbouring worlds, at least for small scale commercial items.

Pre-Industrial Age

TL 0-2 are pre-industrial revolution. The only technology available will be what comes in from outside.

Civilisation will be tribal, warring kingdoms and the start of massive urbanisation.

Industrial Age

3 - Industrial Revolution

Industrial revolution, 19th century Earth. Horse and steam power.

4-5

Mechanisation and basic chemistry and medicine, early 20th century. Basic cars, common (but expensive) international travel, air craft and big cities. Telecommunications will be widespread, but not ubiquitous.

Communication

6 - Nuclear

Nuclear power, early mechanical computers. Big cities and common air and sea travel. 1950s Earth.

7 - Semiconductors

Basic computer technology, heavy urbanisation and the growth of cities. Late 20th century Earth.

8 - Communications

Early 21st century Earth. Mobile communications are ubiquitous, air travel is cheap. Glass and concrete cities.

Early Interstellar

9 - Gravitics

Beginning of interplanetary travel with gravitics, industry beginning to move into orbit.

Cities are very much like early 21st century, but air cars are beginning to become available, with affordable space travel. Colonisation of asteroid belts and other worlds greatly expands access to resources.

The first jump drives become available. Small holographic displays are possible, so street signs might be holographic.

10 (A) - Fusion

Phasing out of fossil power almost complete as fusion becomes available and practical on a large scale. Most vehicles and machines run off electric, with direct connection to the grid or battery power.

Cities are power hungry, climate engineering or terraforming becomes common. Space travel is easy, travel across the planet is trivial even in private transport.

Anti-gravity technology is commonplace, replaces most wheeled vehicles.

Cybernetics is becoming common and good quality, though still mostly limited to medical reasons.

Larger freestanding holographic images are possible, models in shop window or full 3D vids.

100% communication coverage on a world is pretty common, unblocked by buildings or terrain.

11 (B) - Fusion+

Availability of cheap power is commonplace, so is rarely a limiting factor. Flying buildings are frequent, if not common.

Cybernetics is commonplace, even for basic enhancement. Augmented limbs or mood enhancement chips are possible.

Large building-sized free standing holograms are possible. Streets are full of holographic advertising, building fronts will tend to display whatever they desire, though they are obviously holographic in nature.

Mid Interstellar

12 (C) - Sophisticated Robots

Cheap power and efficient gravitics means that it's just as easy to build a flying building as it is one sat on the ground. Cities may be a mixture of tower blocks and floater plates carrying whole districts. Realistic looking holograms can be used for advertising or art.

Travel across a world, and into orbit, is trivial and common place. Commuting to orbit (or to ground) on a daily basis is not unusual. Grav belts are easy to obtain, the only thing restricting their use is that it's far more comfortable to sit in an air car.

Cybernetics is reliable, and looks just like the real thing. Skill augmentation is possible, and people will be seen with head jacks for plugging in new skills.

Humanoid robots are becoming practical, though they are obviously robotic in nature. They are more often housed in military or industrial shells rather than true humanoid shells.

traveller/goldenage/tech.1608243972.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/12/17 22:26 by sam