Protectron (Fallout 4)

Protectrons are a type of robot encountered in the Commonwealth in 2287.

Characteristics
Unlike protectrons in previous games, the Commonwealth variant (except the Police, Medic, Construction, and Fire Brigadier models) appears to have a transparent "faceplate" made of plastic or glass, with several blinking red lights visible behind the faceplate. It is possible to break this plate by fully damaging the head, which 'blinds' the protectron, reducing its accuracy. If the protectron is inactive and a melee weapon is used; it will increase the chance of breaking it. Previous versions had an opaque metal faceplate with a lit up glass dome on top.

Specifications
Protectrons have a glass dome on top of their heads that acts as an ocular lens which allows the protectron to scan its surroundings and act accordingly. In this glass dome is a laser emitter that shoots a high-powered laser. This laser is also in both "hands/claws". The body of a protectron can swivel up to about 90 degrees to either side before having to step into a different position.

All protectrons come with a combat inhibitor mounted on their back that allows them to selectively target opponents. The combat inhibitor is generally left exposed, making it easy to disable when approaching a protectron from behind. When the combat inhibitor is crippled, the robot will fly into a frenzy, automatically targeting the nearest possible target, regardless of any previous affiliation.

Gameplay attributes
Compared to previous games, Protectrons have become significantly sturdier, particularly so against ballistic damage. On higher difficulties, they can easily shrug off shotgun blasts to the head. However, by attacking their limbs, their more vulnerable insides will be revealed, which can be attacked for extra damage. If both of the Protectron's arms are destroyed, it will initiate a self-destruct sequence. The unit will begin to glow yellow and explode with the force of a mini nuke or a car shortly after.

Protectron
The standard protectron can use lasers to take foes from a distance, hitting them while close enough, doing a substantial amount of damage. If they can not attack, they will run toward their enemies, and go down in a fiery explosion.

Protectron (medical)
This model possesses two static electricity generators on its hands. They are intended to be used as defibrillators, but can be used to deliver powerful energy damage in battle.

Protectron (fire brigadier)
This Protectron model is equipped with an internal "Cryo-gun" which it can utilize in battle. Before the war it was intended to stop fires.

Protectron watcher
Powerful variations of the Protectrons. They utilize standard issue laser weapons, but have significant armor. Upon death they will initiate a self-destruct feature, with the force of a mini-nuke.

Utility protectron
They may have one or two nailguns, similar to the railway rifle. They have an orange hazard color scheme with a light on their heads. They also have reinforced plating on their heads and backs originally designed to protect them from construction hazards but now protect them from whatever they may fight in the wastes.

Police protectron
Police protectrons are similar to the utility variants due to the fact that reinforced plating over their inner workings. They can be distinguished due to their blue paint job. These Protectrons utilize a stun gun or electric shock of some description in close range combat.

Personalities
In Fallout 4, each Protectron now has a programmable personality, so that it can serve a variety of roles: default, subway steward, law enforcement, fire brigadiere, medical responder, and construction worker.

Generally, the personality does change the behavior of the protectron, and what it says as it patrols (construction workers will make comments about workplace safety and attack characters without work helmet, and medical responders will make comments about injuries and be generally passive until attacked). Medical responders will not heal player injuries and all variants will attack hostile NPCs on sight. The only notable change is that subway stewards will insist on seeing the player's subway token and will attack when it is not produced (regardless of whether the player has one in their inventory or not).

(NOTE: it is possible to give the subway token to the subway protectron. Timing is everything as the player will need to press the action button/key immediately following the bot's request. The player has a window of approximately .8 seconds to give the coin. Check out the YouTube video demonstrating the process .)

Personalities can be changed remotely without having to shut down the protectron.

Notable protectrons

 * Buddy
 * First Mate
 * Takahashi
 * Tin Man

Appearances
Protectrons appear in Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes
Protectrons are modeled after Robby the Robot from the 1956 sci-fi movie, Forbidden Planet.