SimBot

SimBots are a life state introduced to The Sims 3 in The Sims 3: Ambitions. They harken back to Servos, however they differ in many important aspects.

These playable creatures have two eyes instead of the single camera-like eye of Servos, and they have a more robotic, less streamlined appearance. This is consistent with the belief that The Sims 3 is set 50 years before The Sims 2 and 25 years before The Sims, and has led to speculation that SimBots are prototypes for Servos. (The Sims 2 Servos clearly appear as golden statues in the science labs, so it appears that they are a long-term goal.) SimBots can be male or female.

Methods for Obtaining a SimBot
There are two primary methods for gaining a SimBot:


 * My Best Friend lifetime reward
 * If a Sim earns 40,000 lifetime reward points, they can then summon a new SimBot who will automatically have best friend relationship status with the summoning Sim. This method is useful if the player does not want to spend the huge amount of time it takes to invent it. These bought SimBots have a rusty appearance. The gender of a SimBot summoned using this method is random, and there are reports that these SimBots do not live as long as invented ones.


 * Invention
 * SimBots can be built using the Inventing skill, after reaching level 10 and completing an opportunity chain.

At some point after reaching level 10, the inventor will receive an opportunity to build their first SimBot. This requires the following materials: SimBots take a very long time to construct, although they can be constructed in a single day by a dedicated inventor. There is no option to select the gender of this initial SimBot. After the opportunity is complete, the inventor can continue to build more SimBots (as long as they have the required materials), and may choose the gender of additional SimBots when beginning the construction.

Invented SimBots are classed as the inventor's children in the family tree with a single parent. Any children of the inventor will become the SimBot's half-siblings. Invented SimBots have nicer chassis than the ones bought for lifetime reward points.

Simology
SimBots have most of the same needs as human Sims, except for Hygiene. However, their needs are named differently:

Unlike the Servos of The Sims 2, SimBots possess no ability to shut down to conserve power, or use solar power to recharge, and may sleep in a bed as any other Sim does. Sleeping Simbots emit ones and zeros instead of Z symbols. Other Sims may react to SimBots with revulsion or fear, in the same way as they might react to Ghosts and Mummies, although some (perhaps Brave Sims) may cheer instead. Male and female SimBots differ in the structures of their heads and torsos. Additionally, the piece which connects the torso and pelvis is longer and narrower on female SimBots.

While SimBots can eat food, they prefer scrap, and a single piece will completely restore their hunger and provide the Great Meal moodlet. SimBots also receive a variety of unique interactions, such as Show Off Features, Discuss Oil Brands, Insult Puny Human Brain, etc. They can also converse with inanimate machines such as food processors to regain their social need. Not having a Hygiene need, they don't need to shower, and will short out if they do. They can spin their arms like helicopter blades to smash objects for scrap metal, although they can be fined for doing such on public property, except in junkyards. They can also WooHoo, although they cannot have children. Like all summoned Mummies, SimBots are classed as Elders by the game. SimBots come online with automatic ranks in both the Handiness and Inventing skills.

All SimBots are created with the Hydrophobic and Brave traits. If a SimBot gets wet, for example by forcing them to shower, they will shut down and get a "Short Out" moodlet which lasts for four hours. During this time, other Sims can repair the SimBot, or can choose to Reprogram them, which allows a reselection of their traits. However there seems to be no lasting damage from shorting out a SimBot, so it can be useful for redesigning the personality of a newly created SimBot (as there is no other opportunity to select traits for them). Even though SimBots are Hydrophobic, they have no problem mopping up puddles of water or being sprayed by a sprinkler. However, they will short circuit if commanded to play with the sprinkler. Making a SimBot sleep in the Cursed Sarcophagus of the Kings for an extended period of time will replace one of the SimBot's traits with the Evil trait. They do not gain a Good trait from sleeping in the Blessed Sarcophagus of the Kings. It is currently not possible to create a Simbot-Mummy hybrid, although Simbot Ghosts are possible.

SimBots cannot be singed or set on fire, allowing them to safely detonate objects without any negative effects even if they are directly caught in the explosion. SimBots are not only immune to the negative effects of electrocution, but will actually get the Energized moodlet and have their Charge need completely restored. This is most reliably reproduced by having a SimBot attempt to repair or upgrade an electrical object on top of a puddle, such as one created by turning a gardening sprinkler on indoors; but it can also occur during failed repairs or upgrades, from getting caught in an electrical trap, or other ways in which a Sim may be electrocuted. Since they do not have malleable skin and (technically) do not wear clothes, SimBots are unable to receive tattoos or makeovers. SimBots have jets in their feet allowing them to hover from place to place. They use this mode of travel as a substitute for running, and also use it when going between nearby lots.

Recoloring SimBots
SimBots initiate in a small variety of colors, often with rusty textures.

On the 28th of April TheSims3.com ran a promotion for The Sims 3: Ambitions, using a YouTube video featuring a Sim Bot recolored in the Iron Man suit colors. This suggested that Sim Bots might be recolorable in either Create a Style or Create a Sim. One hands on preview states that Sim Bots cannot be recolored, this is confirmed as partly true, as using mods, it is possible to bring a SimBot into dresser mode and recolor them.