This post is a discussion about Cybernetics, Augmentation, and Inter-network communications in Star wars and its Expanded universe

From what I understand, cybernetics were incredibly expensive and usually functioned less effectively than their organic counterparts. Cliegg Lars had a powerchair instead of cybernetic legs. Anakin's robotic hand was somewhat less functional than Luke's, which doesn't make much sense since he's one of the Republic's greatest warriors.

On the other hand (no pun intended), Grievous, Lobot, Luke, and Vader all seem to have no trouble with their cybernetics, so most of it may just be some technological advance that came during or after the Clone Wars. I'd imagine that most people would be very uncomfortable with cybernetics/augmentation in general, and would much rather stick with their natural organic components if given the choice. Driver, on the other hand, seems to have no problem with it

I am thinking you're going to want to slave someone into a ship to have them run it?

I wonder if a cybernetic tail would work well.

It's an interesting idea, DarkMiner. However, I don't see it meshing well with our current setup in the Navy. Hopping into a simulator every time to fight a battle without being there personally would lend itself to a lack of variety, which is bad for activity. It would also make some other things, such as ship boardings or the occasional on-foot action much more difficult to design.

If we were really in the SW universe, it'd work great. For a roleplaying forum, however, it won't work as well.

-Drac

It might not work for us to use it, but we could have a hostile force that uses something like that. It'd be an interesting premise for a squadron story, in my opinion.

Another reason not to rely on remote control set-ups is the fact that such commands can be blocked, or even overridden, by hostile forces.  On the other hand, that same flaw gives the idea enormous story potential, especially if our favorite VE heroes are the ones doing the jamming and/or commandeering...   Everybody likes a good taking-over-the-enemy-superweapon sequence.

As far as piloting ships, this might be a complicated venture. I mean, shadow droid testing proved you could control ships using Force sensitive minds ripped out of their skulls.

You could also use Ssi-ruuvi entechment systems which do a similar thing. That still requires a meat component on the vessel itself.

Obviously, there are also pilot droids and droid ships themselves. The Army used TIE Droid starfighters when the Navy isn't available for assistance.

I'm hoping to introduce a concept called an inskin to my character and elaborate on that later. Got some books to re-read first though.

As to cybernetics at large, I still am looking for notes on doing some of that ourselves. In the GFFA, Luke had issues with his hand on occasion and Vader had constant left knee issues early on.

Lobot didn't have much of a personality and I think Aurra Sing was constantly picking up oddball radio stations.

In the VE, I know Cosmic famously had a lot of mods done, as have many of our members. That said, given the articles I have read this week or growing or 3D printing replacement organs and skins, we might not even need to consider such things. Real life is showing itself to give us a new way.

Basically, there is a limit to what you can do or replace with cybernetics. Not to mention how much you can replace and still think of yourself as human. You can enhance your eyes and ears to do stuff normal meat can't, but you're gonna have a hard time picking up folks in a cantina. Stronger and more options does not necessarily mean better.

What about installing droid brains to enhance abilities?

grievous had multiple droid brains slaved together to analyze and utilize jedi sword techniques.

I'm with Fury on this one.  No prejudice, bigotry, or discrimination against cyborgs, certainly, but I wouldn't choose to augment my own body unless it were a medical imperative.  Call me old-fashioned, if you must. 

Sorry to bump up a dead thread, but on the off chance that DarkMiner has subscribed to this thread and will be notified by e-mail of a new post, I'm posting here.  Am I a neurotic overachiever or simply trying to encourage activity?  Probably both.

DarkMiner, if you see this, check back in please and let me or another Trainer know if you've bested your computer virus yet.

And, just to preserve the appearance of staying on-topic: the Wookiepedia article on cyborgs (found here: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Cyborg) has some interesting insights about the stigma against (and possible side effects of) "augmentation"...

Sounds good. Does this mean we'll have to reschedule the Xeno-Hate Brigade meeting?

What about a basilisk? They have independent droid brains. I used to be in the Navy and I was a droid. In the end, I had the droid transfer himself into the basilisk and now I have it. Would That count?