Specification 1: Peon Individual-Human Assistant

Specification: ITU-T:PIHA:H001:2049:Peon Individual-Human Assistant: Hardware elements, high-level overview
Working group: Peon core functionality - engineering overview
Publication date: 05 March 2049
Notes: This specification replaces PIHA:H001:2047 and is to be read in conjunction with specifications PIHA:H010 to PIHA:H999 which detail the components described herein. 
Overall purpose: This specification gives a high-level overview of the core hardware components to be provided in a standard government-issue peon of the class Individual-Human Assistant (I-HA). Specifications PIHA:H002 to PIHA:H009 describe hardware components of higher-spec versions of this class and specifications PIHA:H010 to PIHA:H999 detail the component specifications. 
Applicability: This standard has been ratified by all signatories to the global peon design agreement of June 2045 and is mandatory for any peons issued from the date of and within the jurisdiction of that agreement.  

1 Introduction

Peons of the I-HA class are intended for the use of a single human at any one time in a one-to-one relationship, which is intended to last for the lifetime of the human (allowing for necessary upgrades). A peon is assigned to a human at birth or on request. The minimum hardware required is that which supports the minimum capabilities of a peon, necessary to support the expected minimum functionality (see Specification PIHA:H010).

2 Overview

The required hardware can be classified into the following five categories:
2.1 Casing
2.2 Power
2.3 Mobility
2.4 Sensors
2.5 Communication
Details of each of these are given in sections 3 to 7 that follow:

3 Casing

Peon casings can be of any shape but must adequately protect the components, the peon functionality and the environment (including humans) that the peon operates in. Peons of this class may not exceed 12cm in diameter in any direction when folded. Peons with extensible mobility components may not exceed 15cm in diameter, in any direction, when such components are fully extended. 
The maximum weight of a peon of this class is 350 grams.
There is no minimum size for peons and no prescribed shape. There is no limitation on the colour or decorative elements on the casing of the peon.

4 Power

Peons must be equipped with at least one battery, the means to monitor battery charge and the means to charge their battery using standard wall-mounted power-strips. (For the standard power-strip found in public infrastructure, including human habitats, see specification BSB:HHPR:F067.) A peon must have the ability to detect such power-strips and to move themselves onto a power-strip to recharge in good time. Peons should be designed so as to not run out of charge except in unusual circumstances (unavailability of power-strips, physical restraint preventing movement, etc.)
Peons of the I-HA class are expected to have a battery life of at least 8 hours under normal operating conditions as well as the ability to self-monitor the charge and to initiate charging when needed.

5 Mobility

Peons are expected to be able to perch on or cling to stationary and mobile surfaces. Mobility is achieved through short distance flight.

5.1 Perching and clinging
The peon should be able to perch on any horizontal surface and be able to cling to other solid structures, including power-strips, railings, furniture etc. 
Peons need to have the ability to cling to humans, usually on the shoulder or arm, using clawed feet. The feet need to be able to keep the peon attached to a range of clothing, when the human is moving, including doing exercise. The clawed feet should not hurt the human, should not damage clothing and should easily release when required. (See specification PIHA:H200.) 

5.2 Flying
Peons need to be able to fly in order to move between perches and the human, as well as to move alongside a human in circumstances that make clinging difficult (for example, when the human is swimming). Peons also need to be able to fly up to 500 meters from the human and back in order to collect and relay information and light objects (up to 500 grams).
The design of acceptable propulsion mechanisms are the subject of specifications PIHA:H250 to PIHA:H299.
 
6 Sensors

A peon of the I-HA class is expected to have the following range of input sensors. This is the minimum requirement, additional sensors may be provided.

6.1 Sensors that detect light in such a manner as to provide the vision necessary to detect surroundings, movement, symbols and text in accordance with specification PIHA:H310. 
6.2 A microphone to detect ambient sounds, including voice instructions from the peon’s human (see specification PIHA:H317).
6.3 A sensor that will detect ambient temperature in the current expected planetary range (see specification PLT:HTH:X571).
6.4 Sensors to detect air quality in line with the current expected planetary range (see specification PLT:HAQ:T4288).

7 Communication

A peon of the I-HA class is expected to be able to communicate with other peons and electronic data sources through network infrastructure as well as with humans through means that humans can detect. 

7.1 Network
Peons of the I-HA class will have the necessary functionality to connect to the Universal Web using at least two protocols. Refer to the latest protocol specifications in the specification range UWGP. Network functionality should be robust and able to switch easily between local (peer-to-peer) and district (centralised) signal sources.
Network communication with electronic data sources implanted in humans is not necessary for this class of peons at this time.

7.2 Human communication
A peon of the I-HA class is expected to be able to communicate with humans in the following four ways:
7.2.1 Through sound, usually transmitted to external earphones (see PIHA:H400-PIHA:H409). The peon does not require a built-in speaker, although it is permissible (see specification PIHA:H460). 
7.2.2 Through light images projected onto surfaces (see specification PIHA:H507).
7.2.3 Through vibrations directly transmitted when in contact with the human skin (specification PIHA:H530) or by generating sound when in contact with other surfaces (specification PIHA:H540).
7.2.4 The peon should have an unobtrusive indicator light to show that it is powered on and operational, in the process of powering up, or switched off (see PIHA:H570). Indicator lights can be used for optional meaningful signals (note the conventions of PIHA:H580 - PIHA:H589) as well as for decorative purposes.