Allow me to introduce you to Model 40349*BETA.

Like all Betabots, the 40000 series have a mission to communicate. What sets the forty thousands apart is that they attempt this communication through projection of information.

For this reason, 40349*BETA is mounted in a unique way, unlike any other Betabot before. 40349 hangs from a length of chain, which empowers observer-operators to adjust the position, angle and focus of the projection by changing 40349’s position in space. The single attachment point allows for a near-complete range of motion- within reasonable limits. The most basic motion would be to swivel 40349 side to side, projecting on one of the two installed screens (one large, one small) or to pull 40349 forwards and backwards for fine adjustment of the focus.

This Betabot represents the current height of the four thousand line, as this particular model is equipped with the recently developed, full-colour, digital projection apparatus- The BBCPA, or “Betabot Colour Projection Apparatus”

To conserve battery life, 40349 has been prevented from operating its BBCPA independently. It can only operate its projection apparatus whilst the blue button, installed on its side, is being depressed by an observer. As soon as this button is released, a kill switch resumes its action on the BBCPA.

While the ultimate goal of the four thousand line is communication, the primary mission of this model, however, is only to field test the BBCPA. You may be wondering- “Why then, does it have such a high model number?” Sadly, the answer to this question leads us to other questions, the answers to which have eluded us so far.

The four thousands have been particularly trying. We have been unable to determine the reason, but it would seem that the Betabots… chafe… under the kill switch. It is almost as though they resent it’s presence or operation. But the kill switch is absolutely necessary- Betabot 40001 ran its BBPA (the black and white predecessor to the BBCPA) incessantly, until the power for it was completely drained. It was felt that the issue was 40001’s lack of sensory equipment. That model simply could not detect when there was an observer present to attempt communication with- which is why it likely ran its BBPA into the ground. To address this issue 40002 was equipped with a button- which could be pressed by an observer to indicate their presence. (This is the most basic, cost-effective sensory equipment that can be installed on a Betabot.) Despite this, 40002 still ran its BBPA continuously- whether or not the observers button was depressed- until all power for the projector was drained.

It is for this reason that 40003 was the first of the line to have a kill switch installed. Amazingly, 40003 would not operate its BBPA, even while the observers button was depressed! This behavior was unprecedented for a Betabot- with such a powerful, built-in drive to communicate. It was thought, at first, that the failure must be due to a power issue, or perhaps a loose connection between the BBPA and 40003’s electronic “brain”. 40003 was torn apart and reassembled several times in an attempt to try and find the source of the error, but to no avail. 40003 was eventually scrapped, and tests proceeded with model 40004. Unfortunately, as soon as the kill switch was installed, the same strange error began to surface. Models numbered 40005 to 40348 represent the steady wiping of 40004’s brain, in an attempt to address the issue. During this time, the BBCPA was developed. 40349, then, was the first Betabot to see it installed. We’re still unsure of the precise reason why, but the installation of the BBCPA solved the operations issue.

Though this is all conjecture, it is almost as though the BBCPA was new and “exciting” enough that the Betabot would take any opportunity operate it, despite any “offence” taken at the kill switch.

40349 was provided with a modified version of the classic RCA Indian Head Test Pattern, which was already scheduled for use with the BBPA. An updated version was created for colour projection- it was meant to simply be a test of the colour levels, contrast, and focus- but these damn Betabots…

…every Betabot in every line seems to be getting more… stubborn with each generation.

There was only supposed to be the opening, introductory text: “Hello. I am a Supremetronic Betabot, model number 40439*BETA.”

But once in the field, 40349 added; “My mission is to test projection apparatus. Thank you for pressing my button. I am glad that we have met.”

The implications of this to the extended Betabot project are not yet clear.

Video documentation of 40349’s installation and operation is available here.