The Watchers
Pinnacles of technology, the Watchers, created by the ingenious minds of the Iris are an advanced surveillance system that was specifically designed to monitor and control the population of the Fortrop. Omnipresent and stationed in every corridor, room, and station, their role is to ensure compliance and neutralise any threats should they arise.
Utility
They were built for constant surveillance that human enforcers failed at.
The Watchers are equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors that monitor all activity within their field of view. Their AI systems are designed to detect unusual behaviour, potential threats, and any signs of dissent.
Everything observed by the Watchers is recorded and stored in a centralised database. They continuously stream data to the Fortrop’s central intelligence servers, where it is analysed in real-time. Any detected anomalies are immediately reported to human enforcers or higher authorities.
Although stationary, the Watchers are equipped with non-lethal deterrent systems such as alarms, flashing lights, and tasers to subdue suspects until human enforcers arrive.
Advanced AI algorithms enable the Watchers to identify individuals based on facial recognition and track their movements. Behavioural analysis software helps in identifying suspicious activities, from loitering to more overtly criminal actions.
It's difficult to stay anonymous with them around.
The data collected by the Watchers is fed into complex analytical models that predict potential threats and identify patterns of behaviour that might indicate the planning of illicit activities or dissent.
Although controversial, Watchers are also deployed in residential areas, though they are generally placed in public spaces within these areas to avoid direct intrusion into private homes.
Manufacturing
The Watchers are constructed from a combination of lightweight yet durable alloys and composites. Their outer shells are resistant to tampering and environmental wear.
They incorporate AI technology, advanced optics, sensors capable of thermal imaging, and environmental monitoring systems.
The manufacturing of Watchers takes place in highly secure, automated factories on the Iris. These facilities are equipped with robotic assembly lines that ensure precision and uniformity in the production process.
Each Watcher undergoes rigorous testing before deployment. They are subjected to various environmental conditions and potential tampering scenarios to ensure reliability and resilience.
Maintenance
Watchers are subject to regular inspections by maintenance crews. These inspections involve checking the integrity of their hardware, updating software systems, and ensuring that all surveillance components are functioning correctly.
There are periodic updates to their AI, however after year 2880 they are minimal to no changes.
In the event of a malfunction, Watchers are equipped with self-diagnostic tools that alert maintenance teams. In case that module fails, they initiate self-destruction.
All maintenance activities are logged and monitored by the central intelligence system. This ensures accountability and helps in identifying patterns that might indicate systemic issues or the need for upgrades.
Social Impact
Putting it generally: Fear and paranoia.
The Watchers are everywhere and there's so few places one can turn to, to be truly alone that, as years went by, people naturally developed paranoia, as if they were being constantly watched. Because they were. Over the years, a perversive erosion of privacy happened, with the Watchers monitoring every move to the point that personal privacy is virtually non-existent.
The Watchers killed what few attempts at rebellion there were; the moment a spark was ignited, it was brutally suppressed and disbanded.
The Watchers are stationed in every corridor, room, and station.
These machines are the eyes and ears of the government, ensuring that every citizen's move is watched. They have been integrated into every aspect of life, from streets and parks to shops, schools, offices, and even homes, leaving no place completely safe from their gaze.
The Watchers were created as a part of strategy for the years 2560-2565 to centralise control and maintain peace and order on the Fortrop. Presented to the public as a safety measures, their real purpose was to solidify the government's power.
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