Tachikoma

A Tachikoma is an automatic robot spider tank that can project ropes for it to climb on. It also is a vehicle large enough for one person which means every person at Section 9 has a Tachikoma for combat situations. When the person assigned to a Tachikoma exits, the Tachikoma follows them and protects them from danger. They are capable of firing weapons and launching missiles and turning invisible. They are capable of walking, rolling, and gliding. However, they are not boats nor submarines. Most of the time they are painted blue. Proto is one of their maintenance technicians. Batou is particularly fond of Tachikomas. The Major is in charge and made several mistakes. While she was impressed with the Tachikoma's Self Sacrifice, she does not respect them. She reinstated them only to have their A.I. chips removed making them reliant on a Satellite Dish. She subsequently moved the only known installation of their A.I. to an American Empire Satellite Dish giving the Tachikoma's no other choice except to move the home of their brains to intercept a missile launch intended to kill Refugees. Victory occurred as a result of the loss of The American Empire's Satellite Dish. It was not until the loss of Hideo that The Major finally took The Tachikomas seriously. They were temporarily replaced by The Uchikomas which are based on the early Fuchikomas only this time they failed to recreate any thing similar to The Tachikoma's abilities. The Uchikomas seemed to break down often and required extensive maintenance. When The Major rejoined Section 9 again, she brought with her The Tachikomas, having restored them after discovering a backup copy and instructions. She finally took Batou's advice and often brings her Tachikoma home with her. As there is no narrator nor announcer in Ghost In The Shell, they in Stand Alone Complex rely on Audible Reports from Togusa and The Major. The rest of the time is explained by The Tachikomas through their hosting of Tachikomatic Days as well as episodes of Stand Alone Complex dedicated to The Tachikomas.