ramble of the beginning
The Commander Project was born on a custom off-white suitcase computer. The full power of a high end programmers desktop in a you’d-swear-its-from-1981 clam shell case with a handle and deployable antenna. One of a kind, built for Prof Gunn by Freeman Electronics for work with the 1999 Issac prototype.
In 2001 Gunn used the computer to write what he called “Vector Sigma”, a program to potentially create broad range AIs. It wrote the core for the WM line, the Dave, Quinn, and Walter models. It allowed them to have machine learning capabilitys. It could also isolate learned procedures from AIs it made. When one Dave was taught how to play tennis, Vector Sigma mapped all the code needed to play tennis and copied it allowing any WM robot to play tennis, given the program set was downloaded to it. This greatly increased the capability of adaption, if it can just find the program needed to complete a task, download it, and use it.
2011, Gunn was working on his biggest project. A true, learning, thinking, sentient AI. Vector Sigma was on version 22.9, and the suitcase computer was near constantly hooked into a power boosting cradle. He had an alpha version of the core psychology and a red trimmed Walter waiting in the wings.
November. He was approached by DARPA on behalf of the US Government. They were willing to give him funding on his AI project, if he work with them on theirs.
January 2012. He agreed to the deal.
February, Gunn moved in to his new office in Arlington. He met with the engineering staff, they were surprised the programmer of the Walter was on board with this project. General Fawcett met with him and established his commanding role.
