Sometime between 2241 and 2277, after Augustus Autumn's ascension to the rank of colonel under President John Henry Eden, part of his attempts to restore the Enclave's technological superiority in the wasteland included researching improvements to the basic Eyebot design in order to create combat-ready support units. This took place at the Enclave stronghold of Adams Air Force Base close to the Capital Wasteland.[1] However, after growing disappointed with the speed of development, Colonel Autumn assigned Dr. Grant as a senior researcher on the project to hasten results.[2] After a confrontation between one of the project workers, Dr. Whitley and Dr. Grant, Autumn was convinced to have the Duraframe project's assets seized and transferred to the development of Enclave Hellfire armor, with the project itself canned and all produced units due to be scrapped.[3]
Having grown disillusioned with the Enclave's leadership and goals as a result, Whitley arranged to have Eyebot Duraframe Subject E, or ED-E, the prototype and final functional model in the Duraframe Eyebot series, depart from Adams AFB before it could be disassembled. The eyebot was sent on a journey to Camp Navarro on the West Coast, which he believed was still under Enclave control.[1] Along with an audio log intended for the Navarro scientists to explain its arrival, Whitley also included several databanks of information, representing the collective amount of his research on the Duraframe Eyebots along with research into the pre-War Poseidon Energy company and their energy conservation projects conducted in the Mojave Desert.[4][5]
Characteristics
Owing to the heavy investment of resources from the Enclave, the Duraframe Eyebot model is resilient; after learning that ED-E was struck by a .308 hand-loaded round during the attack that originally incapacitated it, the Courier can note that such circumstances would have destroyed most robots of the same size lacking its upgrades.[6]Arcade Gannon, himself a former member of the Enclave, mentions that the robot lives up to its model name, having successfully traveled over 2,000 miles across the hostile wasteland and remained functional up until reaching the Mojave.[7] Should ED-E be repaired and activated in the Nash residence by the Courier, the data it holds has the potential to allow the Mojave chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel to create their own army of Duraframe Eyebots.[8]
Behind the scenes
Joshua Sawyer stated that "Duraframe" as a designator refers to the model type, not a specific material as part of its creation.[Non-game 1][Non-game 2]
Concept art, Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide/Behind the Bright Lights & Big City
References
↑ 1.01.1Whitley: "Subject E: Diagnosis complete. Begin Recording. My name is Whitley. I'm a researcher at Adams Air Force base. Until recently I was in charge of the Duraframe reinforcement project for the combat model Eyebots. Eyebot Duraframe Subject E is both the prototype, and the last functional model in this test group. I was prepared to make several significant upgrades to the machines. However, as the project was canceled and all Duraframe assets are being diverted to Hellfire Armor, I am sending this model to the Navarro outpost. If you are listening to this log from one of our Enclave Outposts in Chicago, give this unit whatever repairs it needs so it can continue to Navarro." (ED-E's dialogue)
↑ED-E: "<Distressed beeping>" Whitley: "Dr. Grant? What the hell do you think you're doing?" Grant: "Ah, Whitley, there you are. Orders from Colonel Autumn - he feels the Eyebot Duraframe project isn't advancing quickly enough. I'm to-" Whitley: "You didn't even disengage his damage-avoidance protocols! You're hurting him!" Grant: "Don't be ridiculous, it's just a machine. See here, I've already increased the navigation system's efficiency by 65%." Whitley: "Get the hell out of here!" Grant: "Fine, Whitley, it's your lab.At least until I tell the Colonel about this." (Grant's and Whitley's dialogue)
↑Whitley: "All due respect sir, I think you're making a mistake. We're close to a breakthrough with the Duraframe Eyebots, I can feel it!Yes, sir. Yes sir, I understand that we need the Duraframe assets for Hellfire armor, but-No, sir. Yes, sir. I understand, sir. I'll tell the team to start disassembling the ED series prototypes right away. ED-E, you little rascal. Were you eavesdropping again? I think those videos you watch are a bad influence on you. How much of that did you hear?" ED-E: <Sad beeping> Whitley: "Hmm... didn't Dr. Grant say she'd upgraded your navigational systems? I think I have an idea.... How'd you like to be just like RALPHIE?" (Whitley's dialogue)
↑Whitley: "Download Complete. Begin Recording. Navarro outpost scientists, I am glad that ED-E has reached you. You will find several databanks of information on this machine. Please handle this information with the utmost care as it represents the sum total of the results of my research on the Duraframe Eyebots. There are also several databanks with information on my research into Poseidon Energy and some projects they were working on in the Mojave area." (ED-E's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I've heard some information from its logs, sounds like it is carrying some Enclave data." Lorenzo: "Really? What kind of logs? What kind of data does he have on it?" The Courier: "The logs spoke about Enclave Duraframe research and Poseidon Energy research." Lorenzo: "Did... did you say Poseidon Energy? I've been researching some Poseidon projects here. Do you think you could leave your robot with me for a few days? I have some materials that I can use to upgrade his armor while he's here." (Lorenzo's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "That was a .308 round. Probably hand-loaded - that would have destroyed most robots your size." ED-E: "[SUCCEEDED] <Pleased beeping>" (ED-E's dialogue (Lonesome Road))
↑Arcade Gannon: "Wow. That thing is definitely carrying around a bunch of Enclave intel. Adams is on the eastern seaboard of the country. Which means this little "Duraframe" sucker somehow managed to survive for over two thousand miles. Certainly lives up to its model name." (Arcade Gannon's dialogue)
↑ED-E possible ending slide: "With its logs cleared and its systems upgraded ED-E remained a vigilant and constant companion to The Courier. The Brotherhood used the information recovered from ED-E to create a small army of Duraframe Eyebots."
Non-game
↑Joshua Sawyer on Tumblr: "Duraframe is the model type, not a specific material. [...] The Duraframe models were intended to see combat, unlike regular Eyebots, which served more as broadcasting/sentinel units. Whether that meant the Duraframes were made out of a different material or simply constructed differently (e.g., with armor plating) ambiguous."
