Editing Tiffany 16 (section)

=Technology Design Notes (Non-canon)=

==General Automaton Technology==
"Motivating essence' is a biological computer made of a variety of engineered micro-organisms, including a few extremevores that gain power from heat and/or agitation.  Thus, essential fluid is a tailored zoon - a biological colonial orgamism like portugese man-of-war, biofilms, and certain slime molds.  It functions as both a processor and as a hydraulic fluid. That is, like a slime mold Motivating Fluid "moves" albeit minutely, and can apply minute pressure to turn one and off various microvalves and gears to direct and activate more powerful steam, hydraulic or pneumatic systems. So the network of hoses and rubber "veins" are part of the automaton's nervous system. It also functions as memory storage. The nutrient soup includes memory RNA which defines the automatons role and duties. This is why automaton memories are not perfect. (However, certain models have a carbon matrix for additional greater memory and processing requirements.)


The automaton thought processes are modeled on the human brain but with one major difference. When a automaton comes out a factory, it is the exact opposite of a human baby. A human baby knows little aside from emotion, but an automation has a great deal of built practical knowledge, but nothing else.
So automations are not programmed, as such, but conditioned, to be subservient and have no free will. 
For example, think about your favorite things. Most of the time there are pleasurable because pleasurable memories associated with them.
 
Tramatic events or a major in changing memory handling can cause an automaton to "awaken."
(Granted the core book says all automations are self aware but hide it. My explanation is that they do not realize they are self aware and conditioned not to know or care.)
 
Part of standard automaton maintenance is to fluish the motivating essence to cleanse any problem causing memories.

==Automaton Sensory Apparatus==
Mechanical linkages are not fast enought to provide accurate sight, but there is a simpler solution.
Motive fluid can move but it can also "see" becuase of a number of different kinds of photosensitive microorganisms that make up motive essence.  An automaton's "eye" is a series of lenses that focus an image on the motive essence and directly processed by it, much like a modern computer processes informaton from a fiber optic cable. 

So the basic abilities of motive essence are motion (albeit ever so slightly), the ability to respond to pressure, (IE the sense of touch), and the sense of vision. 
 
So no smell or taste - yet.
But with some tweaking there can be various artifical organs that function as sensors.
The simplist case would be a air quality alarms used in mining automatons. It is a simple bag of bacteria that flashes when the air quality dips below a certain piont. The automaton has a designated "eye" that watch for this flash.  So technically it "sees" ordors but it is functionally the same.  More complex sensors are available on advanced models.  Some simpler models may not be as good as deciphering the data and say, "It smells blue." (Note: Real world "scintillation" counters for measuring radiation function on exactly this principle.)

Keep in mind taste and smell are very similar.  For the sake of argument we can define them as "smell" and "smell on contact."  Some chef automatons have particularly acute smell/taste sensors installed on their fingertips so they can taste by poking the food.

==Doll Design==
Now for constuction. A functional prostitute-bot requires construction material more realistic than copper plate. However Under an oppresive regime like the neo-victorians, there is no way that a automaton will be made that can pass for human under any sort of examination. Especally when the fear they may rebel exists. Being mistaken for human at first look maybe acceptable for a doll, but at second look, no. (Maybe automations are required to make a ticking sound, much like modern digital camera are legally required to make a needless click?)
 
So complete realism is out.
"Uncanny valley" is in.

==The Tiffany Series==
Tiffany is built on a skeletal frame entirely covered with faux mole-skin capable of changing color, but it gives her a rubbery or porcelain complexion. The psuedoskin is made of Calgorite laden with chromataphores to change its basic color. Under the skin is a series of bags that simulate fat and muscle distubution. Micropumps change adjusting "fat" distibition to suit the owner's taste, but it takes a while.I picture Tiffany as anime-like with oversized doll eyes, and too-long legs, oddly blinking eyes, and an exaggerated corset like figure, pushing the "uncanny valley." 
Oh and throw in some visible seams in the psuedo skin for access. So Tiff would be hard pressed to imitate a human but can disguise herself as another series automaton such as a doll, autocrat or servant.
 
Tiffany's series like Barbie comes with a plethoria of accesories including fake teeth, several wigs with magnetic clasps. Also, ahrem, "parts" are are interchangable, to suit the owner's taste. (In addition to male and female options include "Invader from Mars.") One of her minor quirks is the desire to collect all her accessories. This may be a personal thing or good programing by marketing.

Her series, like many home use automatons is alcohol powered.  Alcohol is a clean burning fuel with  pleasant exhaust fumes. Plus the heat maintains a warm body temperature, important in a doll.  Simulated breathing helps cool the system and vent vapors. 
 
Some cities require all automatons to have its identification marks easily visible.
Removing or hiding the registration is punishable by exile or erasure. 
Tiff had hers on her left cheek, and removing it was the first thing she did after she escaped.