In the Bobiverse, a replicant is a copy of the mind of an individual created by scanning a brain at the sub-cellular level and converting the data into a computer simulation. As Dr Landers describes it to Bob, a replicant is "a computer program that it thinks it is" an individual.
The replicant computer programs are hosted in a replicant matrix, which is an advanced server using opto-electronics.
At Bob's first awakening Dr Landers initially compared Bob to Mr Data from Star Trek, as opposed to Bob's assumption that he was more of a Borg.
Replicant Characters[]
Bob and all his clones are not the only replicants in the Bobiverse. To see a list, go to the Replicant Category Page in this wiki.
Technological Development[]
Although Robert Johansson was initially led to believe that FAITH developed the replicant technology, members of the Australian nation-state were actually responsible for most, if not all, of the development of that specific replicant technology. Based on Dr Landers' comments after Bob's first "awakening," the procedure was originally performed on cryogenically frozen brains.
In addition, it is said that the scan for creating a replicant from a human brain is "destructive" and cannot be performed on a live human being that wishes to keep living.
Replicant Abilities[]
In addition to the ability to perform complex mathematical functions at computer-like speeds and easily add tasks to a virtual to-do list, replicants also possess other abilities that are a more direct result of giving a human consciousness computerized abilities. Bobs in particular are able to interact directly with GUPPIs that further facilitate multitasking.
Framejacking[]
Framejacking allows a replicant to slow down or speed up perceived time to maximize decision making reflexes or hide reactions from people operating in "real time"
Clones and Backups[]
Replicants are able to clone themselves in order to create further replicants. Bobs generally do not enjoy the cloning process. Specifically, there appears to be a lot of disappointment when waking up as a clone and not the original after completing the backup and cloning process.
Replicant Drift[]
Main Article: Replicative Drift
In the first books, there is mixed evidence of whether backups are a true recreation of the original Bob. Khan has a successful backup before self destructing, but still renames himself as Loki upon returning. Hal, meanwhile, maintains the same name even after the pre-backup version was destroyed by the Others. Howard indicates at least some unease among Bobs that a backup is truly the same personage.
However, by Heaven's River, it is well established -- through not only observation but also by empirical study by the Skippies -- that each successive generation of clones becomes less and less Bob-like.
Epistemological Status of Replicants[]
Many Bobs (and other replicants) comment internally and out loud about their actual status of being alive or not. Each replicant is an independent and conscious being. At one point, Garfield suggests that the replicants are a new species of human, and proposes Homo siderea as the species name.
Origin of Term[]
Since the Bobiverse likely contains the Blade Runner film, they likely share the same origin for the term replicant. Unlike in Blade Runner, however, replicants are solely copies of a previously existing human brain instead of a human body with implanted human memories With this being said, Bobs do eventually develop extremely life-like androids that may be closer to Blade Runner's replicants.