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To prevent random construction bots that were accidentally abandoned on the other side of the map consuming a players construction bot capacity leaving them wondering why their roboports aren't working, robots, particularly player construction robots, should self destruct if they are left flying without power for too long.

Would cause other problems, like the U-Shaped roboport networks. Admittedly, in that case the issue is more the AI beings computationally cheap and stupid as a resulT.

Instead of crashing, going to another roboport would also work, as would having an indicator as to how many are out, like combat robots.

There is a debug option that draws a line between player avatars and their personal robots, which helps, and a mod that added a better graphic for that would be another solution.


I believe robots used to explode at zero power, but it was changed.

Self destruct seems like a poor design. They should land (as items on the ground) at least.

• Logistic and Construction robots slowdown to 20% of regular speed when out of energy (instead of dying).

Source : viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4108

I move this to won’t implement. Sorry, I remember we had that (see above) and there where dozens of requests to change that.
Could be done with a mod, I think.

PyroFire wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:55 pm robots, particularly player construction robots, should self destruct if they are left flying without power for too long.

Please dear God, no.

ssilk wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 6:19 am I move this to won’t implement.

Please dear God, yes.

5thHorseman wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:08 am

PyroFire wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:55 pm robots, particularly player construction robots, should self destruct if they are left flying without power for too long.

Please dear God, no.

Care to add anything useful to the discussion?

Perhaps you missed the part where

To prevent random construction bots that were accidentally abandoned on the other side of the map consuming a players construction bot capacity leaving them wondering why their roboports aren't working,

is still an issue.

But i see that you failed to quote that part, so uh.
Thanks for your meaningless input?

What about a button (next to Activate Alt view, ...), with the feature : "Terminate all robots that are OOP and not queued for recharge" ?
This could be modded pretty easily, I guess ?

Koub wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 3:08 pm What about a button (next to Activate Alt view, ...), with the feature : "Terminate all robots that are OOP and not queued for recharge" ?
This could be modded pretty easily, I guess ?

https://mods.factorio.com/mod/KillLostBots

Qon wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 4:12 pm

Koub wrote: ↑Wed Aug 26, 2020 3:08 pm What about a button (next to Activate Alt view, ...), with the feature : "Terminate all robots that are OOP and not queued for recharge" ?
This could be modded pretty easily, I guess ?

https://mods.factorio.com/mod/KillLostBots

Whetever idea one has, chances are there's someone who's already had them earlier

All great thoughts, but, particularly with the spiderbots being added with remote control while being allowed their own mobile roboports, the rate of repeat occurrence of this situation is dramatically higher than it used to be.

I agree that destruction may not be the best solution.
I like the idea of pathing abandoned robots to the nearest logistics network if one exists otherwise default behavior.

Or better yet - what about adding a simple notification that says "Abandoned Robot" and points to it on the map like other notifications?
Easily moddable, but seems more like it should be included in the base game.

mrvn wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:40 pm Self destruct seems like a poor design. They should land (as items on the ground) at least.

The disassembling to ingredients or to item-on-ground.

darkfrei wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 11:04 am

mrvn wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 2:40 pm Self destruct seems like a poor design. They should land (as items on the ground) at least.

The disassembling to ingredients or to item-on-ground.

Unless you think the bots are kept together by force fields instead of screws I see no reason why they should break into pieces when they loose power.


By the way: Personal roboports can be turned on/off. So turn it off and wait for bots to return before moving. Just don't abandon your bots on the other side of the map and the problem goes away too.

PyroFire wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 9:48 am I like the idea of pathing abandoned robots to the nearest logistics network if one exists otherwise default behavior.

I think if you take your armor away and wear it back, what you described happens. At least it reset the number of robots that you can use without delay, i am unsure what happens to those robots that i've lost.

I used to do this when taking a train in a path where signal were missing, and bots left to try and place signals while the train run full speed carrying me as passenger, then the hotkey to disable roboport was added maybe also the logic for robots leaving personnal roboport in this particular case has been changed since then.

No sure what is the reason but i haven't needed that trick for a while i'm not sure it still function.