A.L.V.A.

From Ctss

The acronym A.L.V.A. (sometimes written without periods as "ALVA") stands for "Artificial Logic/Voice Apparatus", and refers to a specific advanced line of intelligence engines. Since ALVAs are learning machines, they each develop differently depending on their experiences, but typically end up with an idiot savant level understanding of a given subject, such as interstellar navigation, research, and other tasks that often employ intelligence engines.

While most intelligence engines are bulky and take up a lot of space, ALVAs are very compact. The latest model in the ALVA line, the Mark XXIX, is the height of modern miniaturization and occupies only 3 cubic meters! This makes ALVAs ideal for applications aboard starships, where space is limited.

Like most intelligence engines, ALVAs employ electricity generated by steam dynamos to perform calculations, one of the few practical uses of electricity. The calculations are accomplished by opening and closing any of the thousands of electrical contacts, the combined sound of which is an exceedingly loud mechanical chattering. This property, along with the fact that ALVAs can understand spoken instructions and respond with synthesized speech, gives them the nickname "chatterbox(es)". Also like most intelligence engines, ALVAs require some form of cooling, such as liquid nitrogen, to prevent their internal temperatures from building up and melting components or causing a fire.

The ALVA line of intelligence engines is named after Thomas Alva Edison, great grandfather of Jacob Edison, inventor of the Edison drive. Thomas Alva Edison was himself also an inventor of some renown.

-Librarian Tacitus XI 14:31, 24 January 2009 (PST)