Replicant

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.

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.

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.

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.

Epistemological Status of Replicants

Many Bobs (and other replicants) comment internally and out loud about their actual status of being alive or not. The source material does not provide a concrete answer in either direction. However, it does clearly show each Bob as an independent and conscious being.

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.