Clockwork Laborers
The newest wave of technology to hit the industries has been the introduction of clockwork machines that can perform the work of laborers. These clockworks can be spring or steam powered, and built to fit whatever task is needed. These clockworks are a new iteration on the stationary machines that mark this industrial age, but the key difference here is the newfound ability to make them mobile. After years of tinkering and invention, walking machines can now be reliably built, opening up a new avenue in industrial use.
Utility
These machines can be built to any purpose, given a dedicated engineer and appropriate compensation. One of their main selling points is the lack of thinking: they can be set to a task and perform it the same way every time, in contrast with chimaeras, which sometimes go rogue and fall prey to the instincts written in their genome.
Social Impact
For now, the rise of clockworks is an exciting venture for a new world, expanding possibilities and creating new niches of labor. As they become cheaper, they start to displace living workers, doing the same work tirelessly and without pay beyond the initial investment. One of the main social conflicts arising is the competition with Chimaeras, leading to heated debates and vicious attack advertisements.
Access & Availability
Most clockworks need to be custom built for a purpose, making them expensive tools. Humanoid frames are a popular starting point, allowing for a range of modifications. As the technology expands, the machines become cheaper, but for now they remain as tools for those with significant purchasing power.
Complexity
Each gear-based machine laborer is a highly complex work of art. finely worked springs allow for delicate movement and balance, while pneumatic and hydraulic pistons can make these machines superbly strong. Each piece must also fit in a mobile frame. The majority of a clockwork laborer is just as fine and delicate as the inner mechanisms of a pocketwatch.
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