The AI Basic block is a functional Automaton block in Space Engineers used for long-duration/long-distance autonomous flight. It's an extended version of the Remote Control block that can follow a moving player or a moving ship, navigate to a destination, or perform the standard Autopilot functionality.
This AI Block is of type "Task" and calculates and provides waypoints to other AI blocks of type "Move". For other Task blocks, see AI Recorder.
Construction[]
If Progression is on, build a Basic Assembler and some lighting block first to unlock this block.
The block is 1x1x1 blocks in size and it exists for small and large grid. It can attach to other blocks on all sides. Before placing it, look at the arrows on the sides and rotate correctly; R faces right, L faces left, F faces front, "rear panel" faces bckwards, and the icon faces up.
All AI Blocks require 10 kW of power to work. The block is not expensive and can be built in early game, similar to an ore detector.
Requirements[]
In addition to the AI Basic block, build an AI Flight block and configure it.
Usage[]
- Switch off AI Behavior.
- Select one target towards which this drone should fly:
- Either Follow Home:
- Select a GPS waypoint, or a base/ship's Antenna or Beacon, from the Home list.
- Or click Use Current Position to create a new GPS at the current spot and designate it the drone's home.
- Set Min. Range from Home between 1 and 2500m. The drone will come at most this close to the base (good for avoiding towers).
- Set Max. Range from Home between 1 and 2500m. The drone will not venture further away than this.
- Enable Wander while idle to have the drone patrol autonomously within this range. To send the drone to a specific connector or dock waypoint, disable wandering.
- Or Follow Player:
- Choose a Follow Distance between 0-500 metres. If the player moves away further than that, the drone will catch up. If the player approaches the drone to closer than that, the drone waits in place.
- Click Follow Me to make it follow you (the player who clicked the button).
- Or click Stop Following to make the drone stop following you.
- Or Autopilot:
It supports the same Autopilot features as the RC block, so see there:
- Either Follow Home:
- Switch on AI Behavior on the AI Basic block to start the autopilot.
- Switch on AI Behavior on the AI Flight block.
Best Practices[]
For a low flying cargo or defense drone that follows the player close by, consider adding reachable buttons on the drone's hull so you can give it commands quickly, such as start/stop following.
Recipe[]
 AI Basic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Large Ship/Station Required | Large Ship/Station Optional | Small Ship Required | Small Ship Optional |
 Interior Plate | 20 | — | 2 | — |
 Computer | 20 | — | 10 | — |
 Motor | 4 | — | 2 | — |
 Detector Components | 20 | — | 4 | — |
 Construction Comp. | 30 | — | 5 | — |
 Steel Plate | — | 20 | — | 2 |
Video Tutorials[]
