Biorobotics boom

The **Biorobotics boom** also known as the **Second Biotech Bubble** was a historic economic bubble and period of excessive speculation that occurred roughly from 2061 to 2065, a period of extreme growth in the usage and adaptation of the biorobitcs technology developed during the Third World War. It resulted from the convergence between biotechnology and robotics.

## Medicine

Several new technologies in medicine entered the market shortly after the conclusion of World War III, mostly in the fields of epigenetic replacement organs that were superior to competing models developed prior to the war. The market began to heat up not long after the introduction of biorobotic bodies and new epigenetic treatments that enhanced human physiology either through implanted organs or biorobotic colonies to re-engineer the DNA of non-reproducing cells like muscle and nerve cells.

### **Human Augmentations**

One of primary contributing factors to the bubble was in the mass adoption of human augmentation products and services, particularly in genetic enhancements and cosmetic augmentations. The youth culture of the 2060s was marked by Splicer generation's adoption of these products, and the rise of various augment subcultures and subspecies.

Despite the association of cosmetic augmentations with the youth, most augmentations were used by older people from the Millennial and Armored generations. Even some surviving Gen Xers and Baby Boomers made use of the technology, mostly for human longevity treatments, but also for late-in-life augmentations.

## Drones

### Military

After the end of the Third World War, the US military put out numerous bids for the development of biorobotic weapons systems. Wheeled vehicles and mechanical multiped robots where seen as war winning technologies, tried and tested across decades of combat. But war planners at The Pentagon recognized that there was a need for greater adaptability in its ground assault vehicles, and that biorobotics could deliver that in spades. The result was the first bio-robotic assault drones. Initially designated with the M or LAV designations denoting vehicles, but later abandoned as these weapons better resembled animals or mythological creatures than vehicles. Artificial tissue and genetically engineered life cycles made it possible for these systems to move easily over rough terrain, operate using local sources of flora and fauna as fuel for emergencies, and were grown with bone based mounting brackets for weapons pods. Later versions would feature close quarters combat tactics far superior than anything as static as a tank, using their own limbs to swipe and claw at enemy weapon systems.

### Commercial

While Androids are seen as the most emblematic of the Biorobotics boom, by units sold they pale in comparison to smaller utility drones. While these types of drones go by a variety of names around the world (Daemons and Sprites depending on the size and appearance), the most popular models are seldom larger than mice, and are often modeled off of smaller rodents. The two most popular models on the market since 2144 are the Susuwatari and the House Mouse originating from the design labs of Mitoma and WED respectively. Sprite-type biorobots like these are estimated to number in the billions as of 2160, and can be found in almost everywhere. They've largely outcompeted many natural forms of Rodentia that populate humanity's homes and cities, and serve a variety of simple functions from maintaining utilities, to simply cleaning an area of refuse. These sprites are programmed to avoid contact with other organisms.