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Computer

The computer was an interface program designed to allow the ship's computer to express information through writing or audio. Users could interact with the computer either by typing or by speaking directly to the program, which is simply called "Computer."

The computer was powered independent of other ship systems, able to continue running even when power to other systems had been lost.[n 1]

Description

While the computer is best known as a program used by the Planetary Union, the Krill used a computer interface program on their ships, too - and possibly other species as well.

Planetary Union

Food Synthesizer

The Computer's interface system was mapped onto all Union vessels like the USS Orville and its shuttles, allowing users to direct the computer or other ship operations. For most of the Union's history, ship computers were run from a primary computer core. The core was rendered obsolete in 2422 with the data manifold and distribution arch computer, run from the bridge main entry. However, if the data manifold and distribution arch computer went down, ships had four auxiliary computer processing cores as backup.[1]

A Union computer had a number of defining characteristics:

  • The computer maintained the status quo of all systems, and updated officers on changes - such as damage to the ship's hull.[2]
  • The computer contained an open-access cultural library containing information of the cultures of various species.
  • The computer could direct other programs of the ship through the library, such as sending recipes to a Food Synthesizer[3] and managing the operation of the scanning array.[4]
  • The computer on the Orville was known as the "main computer," implying other independent computers existed on the ship as well.[5]
  • Medical computers were accessible through Sick Bay by Medical Officers, which could be directed to run a variety of tests and programs.[6]
  • A computer may store personnel records,[4] academic records,[7] and cultural and historical databases.[8]
  • The computer linked up to the personal tracking device worn by all officers, which allowed the ship to monitor the wearer's health and location information.[9]

Other characteristics of the computer include tracking all passengers aboard the ship. The ship's Chief of Security could use the computer to immediately locate any personnel, even the Captain or First Officer.[10] Additionally, computers were not impenetrable and could be hacked[7] or manipulated through a malicious program.[11] The computer constantly ran diagnostic routines to find and correct errors, or to re-route data.[1]

The data manifold and distribution arch computer was a significant upgrade over the old primary core model. The new model contained over a dozen racks of fifth generation holographic quantum processors that were constantly self-improving though learning algorithms. Information and commands were relayed via 68 metaoptronic processors to the rest of the ship.[1]

Some Union scientists believed the data manifold and distribution arch computer was self-aware, though Isaac doubted that.[1]

Krill

The Krill are known to have used a computer interface program for their ships, which "talked" to their officers.[n 2]

Kaylon

All Kaylon were connected to each other through a central computer which allowed them to communicate.[5]

Calivon

The Calivon used a highly sophisticated computer, far more advanced than those used by the Union or Krill. Their computers could scan entire databases in mere seconds and manufacture fictitious holographic displays.[12]

Trivia

Appearances

Planetary Union

Use of the ship's computer is ubiquitous across the series. However, instances where the Computer speaks are notably fewer.

Krill

Kaylon

Calivon

Notes

  1. ↑ The simulation of Computer still operates even when all other ship power is lost. Even though this version of the Computer is a simulation, Alara Kitan did not find it unusual. Episode 1x10: Firestorm
  2. ↑ Krill schoolteacher Teleya tells her pupil, Coja, that their computers can "talk" in Episode 1x06: Krill

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 André Bormanis. The Guide to The Orville. Dark Horse Books. Sept. 2024. Pg. 43.
  2. ↑ Episode 1x10: Firestorm
  3. ↑ Episode 1x04: If the Stars Should Appear
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Episode 1x11: New Dimensions
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Episode 2x14: The Road Not Taken
  6. ↑ Episode 1x09: Cupid's Dagger
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Episode 2x01: Ja'loja
  8. ↑ Episode 2x09: Identity, Pt. 2
  9. ↑ André Bormanis. The Guide to The Orville. Dark Horse Books. Sept. 2024. Pg. 44.
  10. ↑ Episode 1x08: Into the Fold
  11. ↑ Episode 1.5x03: The Word of Avis, Pt. 1
  12. ↑ Episode 1x02: Command Performance