[Open Discussion] The Android Anatomy in NieR:Automata

[af]

For the more sciencey people, the anatomy of an android in NieR:Automata has likely been a major mystery. The story indicates they are capable of many human like features such as pain perception, drinking or eating (possibly even digestion of some sort), and even showing emotion. This thread is an open discussion for exploring the anatomy of the android body.

[For people who want more info about the three features provided above]
Pain - this is a given. However, whether they feel pain or simply are told by their sensors that there is damage to their anatomy, this is a different topic.
Drinking and eating - Operator 6O stated she “asked someone out for lunch”...whatever “lunch” is for an android. Additionally, (minor spoiler, if it even is a spoiler), Devola is an alcoholic.
Emotion - this is also a given. However, how emotions are perceived by the characters specifically in comparison to human minds, similar to pain perception, deals with altered states of consciousness - a whole new topic.

Android by definition is a humanoid machine (tech/robotics/engineering specialists, help me out here if there are other details we can add). It seems to be the androids in the story are similar to the robots seen in classic films such as the Terminator series, just that in NieR, androids are much more advanced. The interpretation I offer specifically is about their cognitive ability and mental capacity. It seems to be that the androids in NieR:Automata are a result of a modern day project in the neuroscience field called The Connectome Project.

For those who have never heard of this project before, it is a neurological project currently in development that is attempting to map the entire human brain on a computer. The question then arises, if the neural pathways and features of the human brain are copied onto a computer in the form of digital data, does the computer become a human? It further extends into other debates such as whether consciousness or the soul are part of the brain or if they even exist at all.

In the world of Nier:Automata, it seems to be that projects such as The Connectome Project succeeded and served as the precursor to Project YoRHa. By copying the ability of the human brain into the form of digital data, computers could then, at the very least, act like people. To make androids, the brain data translated into digital data could have been placed into humanoid machines. Pain perception could also be simulated in a mechanical body, even if pain perception may have differed to how humans perceived it. Emotions could be displayed through the reaction the data is programmed to evoke when a certain stimulus is perceived by the programming in the android body.

By converting brain features into digital data, special ideas such as “the soul” ultimately seem to be neurons or matter in a special form to provide us with what is called self awareness or consciousness. Through the above interpretation, NieR:Automata’s world seems to be nihilistic to a whole new level. I am not sure how much Yoko Taro thought about the science behind the android anatomy. However, after thinking further about the way androids are built, it was fascinating and I kept prying further at what possibilities there were.

It would be extremely helpful if there were an official source from the publishers of the story to expand on this part of the lore. So far, there seems to be no written rule on how the android body functions. If someone does have any useful, official info, please comment below. Until then, this topic is open to discussion. Make sure however to backup ideas with at least some scientific basis. For info containing spoilers, please use the blackout formatting function. What do you think the android anatomy is like? What are some other major questions you had about the way the androids function?

Updates on community's analysis of the android anatomy

I have kept track and updated everything we have discussed as a community so far on the android anatomy. So far we have:

• The brain: Other than my original post, this part hasn't been touched on much, yet.
  
• Digestive system: Maybe?
  
  Clues
  • Devola is an alcoholic
    
  • Eating mackerel
    
  • Operator 6O inviting a coworker for "lunch"
• Circulatory system: Maybe? Possibly some form of hydraulic fluid.
  
  • Blood
• Reproductive system: [Confirmed by Yoko Taro] Androids can have genitalia if they decide to have such modifications. However, the genitalia will not be organic. One member has suggested the idea that maybe hacking is involved with the reproduction process (hack the egg cell like portion of a female genitalia in a female android).
  
• Speech Input and Output: Radio/transmission, "gibberish" language seen in the game, possibly even the use of digital telepathy.
  
• High heels: Not for practical combat use, but rather for appeal. Yoko Taro explained in an interview that he simply went wild with creativity. He said, "human civilizations thousands of years ago couldn't imagine what our civilization would be like, so I decided there would be no constraints to what 2B would be wearing." Not scientific, but an explanation we can remember.
  
• Blindfold - most of us already know what it is and that it isn't a "blindfold" but that it is instead a standard issue military visor.

[Hued]

Originally posted by Prolixus:

Originally posted by JordanU:

It seems to be part of their body considered that even naked A2 "wears" them and the heels are still part of battle suit.

And yet, it is not part of their body. The android corpses are solid proof, as it was previosuly pointed out. Furthermore, you can find boots in rooms of YoRHa androids on the Bunker. Why would they have boots if they can't change their footwear?

I don't know about A2, perhaps she is an exception or somethig. But the others don't seem to verify your concept. Btw I'm not really sure about what's what on A2. I think the art team intentionally designed her ambiguous in regard to her body and clothing.

She's an older android model, so I assume that her appearance might be of wear and tear plus obsoleted design.

[Dookie Monster]

Originally posted by JordanU:

Originally posted by Tuuu Bi:

Is this true? Did I miss something? I always assumed they wear their shoes since 2B had spares in her room.

It seems to be part of their body considered that even naked A2 "wears" them and the heels are still part of battle suit.

No mate, she's wearing shoes still. As for why they're open toe'd, instead of the standard YoRHa boots, you're going to have to ask Yoko Taro for that.

EDIT: My guess is they really wanted her to be barefoot, but given her actual screen time compared to the other 2 main characters. It was more efficient and economical to re-use and tweak assets from 2B.

EDIT 2: All that also conveniently fits in, plot-wise.

[Prolixus]

Originally posted by Velocifaptor:

Originally posted by JordanU:

It seems to be part of their body considered that even naked A2 "wears" them and the heels are still part of battle suit.

No mate, she's wearing shoes still. As for why they're open toe'd, instead of the standard YoRHa boots, you're going to have to ask Yoko Taro for that.

EDIT: My guess is they really wanted her to be barefoot, but given her actual screen time compared to the other 2 main characters. It was more efficient and economical to re-use and tweak assets from 2B.

EDIT 2: All that also conveniently fits in, plot-wise.

Yeah, she's wearing panties as if it were her own skin, which doesn't make much sense from any point of view if you ask me. I always felt like her design is a bit rough-and-ready and I also attributed this to limited assets at the devs' disposal.

[Your Neighbour]

Just found out there's a part where operators talk about 'working out'

And that's not tactical training neither, it was about exercising to lose weight... so android does get some kind of body fat somehow whether let it be hydralic fluid that's actually in place of blood and fat?

With the wide range of emotions available (ie operator 6O wanting to see flowers) providing if there's more variety of boots available, the YoRHa androids may actually choose to wear different variety of boots.

[★REM★]

I keep wondering how 2B and 9S can see with the headband on the eyes. If they can still see (infrared? skin sensation?).. why then, the humans created them with eyes under that black mask? either eyes are pointless and not needed or the black mask is not allowing them to see.

[Your Neighbour]

Originally posted by Remlnx:

I keep wondering how 2B and 9S can see with the headband on the eyes. If they can still see (infrared? skin sensation?).. why then, the humans created them with eyes under that black mask? either eyes are pointless and not needed or the black mask is not allowing them to see.

They are combat visors, not blindfolds.

[★REM★]

Originally posted by Your Neighbour:

Originally posted by Remlnx:

I keep wondering how 2B and 9S can see with the headband on the eyes. If they can still see (infrared? skin sensation?).. why then, the humans created them with eyes under that black mask? either eyes are pointless and not needed or the black mask is not allowing them to see.

They are combat visors, not blindfolds.

uhm they really look like black bandage :P

[Your Neighbour]

Originally posted by Remlnx:

Originally posted by Your Neighbour:

They are combat visors, not blindfolds.

uhm they really look like black bandage :P

Yeah it's actually bedroom blindfold inspired, If you watch the videos of yoko taro working with platinum games there's a scene where they show a particular brand of bedroom blindfold being used for the conceptualization

[Saint Beignet]

Originally posted by Your Neighbour:

Just found out there's a part where operators talk about 'working out'

And that's not tactical training neither, it was about exercising to lose weight... so android does get some kind of body fat somehow whether let it be hydralic fluid that's actually in place of blood and fat?

With the wide range of emotions available (ie operator 6O wanting to see flowers) providing if there's more variety of boots available, the YoRHa androids may actually choose to wear different variety of boots.

Well they're supposed to be powered by water and air... so then there must be a recepticle for excess moisture. And unlike a car that has a bleed valve for anti-freeze/coolant, I suppose it is too unsightly for androids or inconvenient to have a vulnerable part that is prone to breakage in combat to release excess fluid.

Note that this is all extremely confusing since they can EAT and TASTE but it's not an essential android function. I don't recall the workout scene... when did you stumble upon it?


As for the clothing, it only makes sense that the shoes be part of their clothing and not built in. If the heels break or the boots get worn they're going to have to replace it. It's much easier to replace just the outer protective clothing than it is the whole leg if it's integral to the android body part. Why on earth they wear clothing or have self-consciousness to clothing is purely ex machina for the audience and ESRB rating. I'm certain that if SE/Platinum could get away with it this would be just like Black Desert Online where clothes become more and more tarnished to the point where it's almost next to nothing.

[Your Neighbour]

Originally posted by Marshie:

Originally posted by Your Neighbour:

Just found out there's a part where operators talk about 'working out'

And that's not tactical training neither, it was about exercising to lose weight... so android does get some kind of body fat somehow whether let it be hydralic fluid that's actually in place of blood and fat?

With the wide range of emotions available (ie operator 6O wanting to see flowers) providing if there's more variety of boots available, the YoRHa androids may actually choose to wear different variety of boots.

Well they're supposed to be powered by water and air... so then there must be a recepticle for excess moisture. And unlike a car that has a bleed valve for anti-freeze/coolant, I suppose it is too unsightly for androids or inconvenient to have a vulnerable part that is prone to breakage in combat to release excess fluid.

Note that this is all extremely confusing since they can EAT and TASTE but it's not an essential android function. I don't recall the workout scene... when did you stumble upon it?


As for the clothing, it only makes sense that the shoes be part of their clothing and not built in. If the heels break or the boots get worn they're going to have to replace it. It's much easier to replace just the outer protective clothing than it is the whole leg if it's integral to the android body part. Why on earth they wear clothing or have self-consciousness to clothing is purely ex machina for the audience and ESRB rating. I'm certain that if SE/Platinum could get away with it this would be just like Black Desert Online where clothes become more and more tarnished to the point where it's almost next to nothing.

It's two operators standing in the corridor, cant remember what scene but they will talk about working out to look better.

[af]

Originally posted by Velocifaptor:

Originally posted by JordanU:

It seems to be part of their body considered that even naked A2 "wears" them and the heels are still part of battle suit.

No mate, she's wearing shoes still. As for why they're open toe'd, instead of the standard YoRHa boots, you're going to have to ask Yoko Taro for that.

EDIT: My guess is they really wanted her to be barefoot, but given her actual screen time compared to the other 2 main characters. It was more efficient and economical to re-use and tweak assets from 2B.

EDIT 2: All that also conveniently fits in, plot-wise.

I guess the alternate outfits in the DLC can confirm that the androids indeed wear shoes rather than have shoes for feet.

[Normal Lee]

The only thing that really confuses me is why they have blood.

[af]

Originally posted by Marshall Lee:

The only thing that really confuses me is why they have blood.

Originally posted by Tuuu Bi:

Originally posted by Marshie:

As for the blood... I would assume that it's hydraulic fluid? Androids are powered by water and air according to the actual protagonists in game...

Hydraulic fluid, definitely a much more satisfying explanation, especially when considering the mackeral. You're also likely right about the oil reserve like features of their insides. Simone/Beauvoir (Opera Boss) in her narrative stated she ate androids and that they "tasted like oil."

If you read the previous pages, you can find more information.

[Tressk]

Yoko taro went out on record in an interview where he was asked 50 questions and one of those questions was "do androids and machines have reproductive organs/genitals?" Heres the link to the excerpt im about to talk about https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-6DSkfWAAEF0kU.jpg
TLDR; androids and machines are not born with genitals but can create convincing copies from their known data on humans. This would also explain though why androids have blood and sweat, as they are imitating human natural secretions.

[af]

Originally posted by Tressk:

Yoko taro went out on record in an interview where he was asked 50 questions and one of those questions was "do androids and machines have reproductive organs/genitals?" Heres the link to the excerpt im about to talk about https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-6DSkfWAAEF0kU.jpg
TLDR; androids and machines are not born with genitals but can create convincing copies from their known data on humans. This would also explain though why androids have blood and sweat, as they are imitating human natural secretions.

Awwwwwww man,
First he leaves us to interpret the meaning of the story.
Now he leaves us to interpret whether the androids have genitalia?
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥