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Artist's impression of a ROAMer based on book 1 descriptions by M.W.F. Baily.
ROAMer ("Remote Observation And Manipulation device") was a catch-all term for a variety of semi-autonomous remotely operable robotic devices, originally designed and built by FAITH's Project HEAVEN and subsequently iterated upon by Bob and his descendant Replicants.
The original generation of ROAMers were designed to be radially symmetrical, with eight limbs each with it's own dedicated set of sensors. Each of these appendages were equipped with in addition to a VAST system that allowed them to traverse vertical surfaces, and could serve as a leg or could split into three digits to act as a manipulator. Additionally; certain legs had built-in specialised functions, mostly serving as tools. Some could be screwdrivers, grinders, torches, and various types of cutters. Some of the tech was brand new as well. One neat gizmo was a magnetically controlled plasma cutter that Bob considered to be a real-life version of a lightsaber from Star Wars.
"The roamers were a very impressive bag of tricks and capabilities. I wondered if the FAITH techs really understood everything the roamers were capable of, when the various functions were combined." (49)
The ROAMers remain ubiquitous for all bobs throughout the series, and are steadily improved upon and specialized as time goes on.