KITT


KITT or K.I.T.T. is the common name of two fictional characters from the action franchise Knight Rider. KITT is an artificially intelligent electronic computer module in the body of a highly advanced robotic automobile. The original KITT is known as the Knight Industries Two Thousand and appeared in the original TV series Knight Rider as a 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. The second KITT is known as the Knight Industries Three Thousand and appeared in the rebooted Knight Rider TV series and its two-hour 2008 pilot film, as a 2008–2009 Ford Shelby GT500KR.

Knight Industries Two Thousand (KITT)

Design

In the original Knight Rider series, the character model for KITT was a modified 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, designed by customizer Michael Scheffe. The convertible and super-pursuit versions of KITT were designed and built by George Barris. The character was voiced by William Daniels.
In the universe of the television show, the original KITT was designed by Wilton Knight, a brilliant but eccentric billionaire, who established the Foundation for Law and Government and its parent Knight Industries. The 2008 film implies that Charles Graiman, creator of the later model Knight 3000, contributed to designing the original Knight 2000. KITT's initial production cost was estimated at $11,400,000. In the 1991 movie Knight Rider 2000, the original Knight 2000 is destroyed and its microprocessor unit is transferred into its successor model, the Knight 4000, a modified 1991 Dodge Stealth.

Features

; AI personality and communication
The original KITT's main cybernetic processor was installed in a mainframe computer used by the US government in Washington, D.C. Wilton Knight envisioned a better use for the computer in FLAG's crime-fighting crusade, so he installed the AI system into the vehicle that would become KITT.
KITT is an advanced supercomputer on wheels. The "brain" of KITT is the Knight 2000 microprocessor, which is the center of a "self-aware" cybernetic logic module. This allows KITT to think, learn, communicate and interact with humans. He is also capable of independent thought and action. He has an ego that is easy to bruise and is very sensitive, but his personality is kind and dryly humorous. According to Episode 55, "Dead of Knight", KITT has 1,000 megabits of memory with one nanosecond access time. According to Episode 65, "Ten Wheel Trouble", KITT's future capacity is unlimited. KITT's serial number is AD227529, as mentioned in Episode 31, "Soul Survivor".
KITT's Voice Anharmonic Synthesizer and Etymotic Equalizer allow his logic module to speak and communicate. With it, KITT can also simulate other sounds. KITT's primary spoken language is English; however, by accessing his language module, he can speak fluently in Spanish, French and other languages. The module can be adjusted, giving KITT different accents such as in Episode 82, "Out of the Woods", where KITT uses a "New York City" accent and called Michael "Micky". During the first season, KITT's "mouth" in the interior of the vehicle was indicated by a flashing red square. In episode 14 "Heart of Stone", this was changed to three sectioned vertical bars, a design that proved popular with fans. KITT can also project his voice through a loudspeaker as a form of ventriloquism.
KITT has a hidden switch and setting dial under the dashboard that either completely shuts down his AI module or deactivates certain systems should the need arise. He also has a function which can be activated in order to completely lock the AI from accessing the vehicle controls. KITT is still able to protest such actions vocally.
KITT is in constant contact with Michael via a comlink through a two-way communication wristwatch Michael wears. The watch also has a micro camera and scanner that KITT can access to gather information. In an emergency, Michael can activate a secret homing beacon hidden inside his necklace, which sends a signal to remotely activate KITT and override his programming so that he rushes to Michael's aid.
; Scanning and microwave jamming
KITT has a front-mounted scanner bar called the Anamorphic Equalizer. The device is a fibre-optic array of electronic eyes. The scanner can see in all visual wavelengths, X-ray, and infrared; its infrared tracking scope can monitor the position of specific vehicles in the area within 10 miles. Occasionally, the bar pulses in different patterns and speeds. Glen A. Larson, the creator of both Knight Rider and Battlestar Galactica, has stated that the scanner is a reference to the Battlestar Galactica characters, the Cylons; KITT even re-uses the iconic audio for the Cylon eye scanner.
When scanning in Surveillance Mode:
KITT's other sensors include:
  • Audio and visual microscanners and sensors throughout his interior and exterior
  • A medical scanner with an electrocardiograph, that can monitor and display individuals' vital signs, and indicate conditions such as injury, poison, stress, or other emotional behavior
  • A Voice Stress Analyzer which can process spoken voices and determine if deception is present
  • A bomb sniffer module that can detect explosives within a few yards of the vehicle via an atmospheric sampling device mounted in his front bumper
KITT has a microwave jamming system that allows him to take control of electronic machines, such as cheating at slot machines, breaking electronic locks, disrupting security cameras, and withdrawing money from ATMs. KITT can also use microwaves to heat a vehicle's brake fluid, causing it to expand and thus apply the brakes of the car. In Episode 26, "Merchants of Death", the microwave system's power was increased to triple its normal strength, strong enough to bring down a helicopter at a limited distance.
; Engine and driving
KITT is powered by the Knight Industries turbojet engine, with modified afterburners and a computer-controlled 8-speed turbo-drive transmission. This helps him accelerate from 0–60 mph in 2 seconds. Real engine was 5.0L V8 with 145 hp. Some stunt cars used 3.8L V6 turbo.
KITT primarily uses hydrogen fuel, but his complex fuel processor allows him to run on any combustible liquid, including regular gasoline. In one episode, KITT mentioned his fuel economy was at least 65 miles per gallon.
KITT can employ a "turbo boost", a pair of rocket boosters mounted behind the front tires. These lift the car, allowing KITT to jump into the air and pass over obstacles in the road. Turbo boost can also accelerate KITT to extreme speeds, in excess of 200 mph. The boosters can fire forward or backward, although the backward booster was rarely used.
In later seasons, a passive laser restraint system helped protect Michael and any passengers from the shock of sudden impacts and hard stopping. It is speculated that this is a primitive form of an inertial damping device.
KITT has four main driving modes:
Other vehicle modes include: a two-wheel ski drive that allows KITT to drive up on two wheels ; an aquatic synthesizer that allows KITT to hydroplane, using his wheels and turbo system for propulsion ; and a High Traction Drop Downs system that hydraulically raises KITT's chassis for better traction when driving off-road.
; Dashboard equipment
KITT has two CRT-video display monitors on his dashboard. Michael can contact home base and communicate with Devon and others by way of a telephone comlink on KITT's video display. The video display is also used for the Graphic Translator system and for scanning or analysis results. KITT can also print hard copies of data on a dashboard-mounted printer.
KITT has an Ultraphonic Chemical Analyzer scanning tray which can analyze the chemical properties of various materials. It can scan fingerprints and read ballistic information off bullets, and compare these results with a police database. The system can also analyze chemical information gathered from KITT's exterior sensors.
KITT also has an in-dash entertainment system that can play music, video, and arcade games. KITT can dispense money to Michael when he needed it.
; Driver compartment
KITT has two front ejection seats, used when Michael needs a boost to fire escapes or rooftops. KITT can release oxygen into his driver compartment and provide air to passengers; this is useful if he is ever submerged under water or buried. Alternatively, in the event of unwanted occupants, KITT can spray a gas into the driver compartment to render them unconscious, or expel all breathable air from the driver compartment.

External features

KITT is equipped with a highly protective plating made of "Tri-Helical Plasteel 1000 MBS", a combination of three secret substances together referred to as the Knight Compound developed by Wilton Knight. The shell protects him from almost all forms of conventional firearms and explosive devices. He can only be harmed by heavy artillery and rockets. This makes KITT's body durable enough to act as a shield for explosives, to ram through barriers without suffering damage, and to sustain frequent on turbo boost jumps without risking damage to the vehicle's structural integrity. The MBS plating protects KITT from fire but is vulnerable to electricity, as seen in the episode "Lost Knight" ; some potent acids, as seen in episode 70 "Knight Of The Juggernaut"; and lasers. The shell provides a frame tolerance of 223,000 lb and a front and rear axle suspension load of 57,000 lb. KITT is also protected by a thermal-resistant Pyroclastic lamination coating that can withstand sustained temperatures of up to 800 °F .
Other external features include:
  • KITT can tint his windshield and windows to become opaque.
  • KITT can automatically open and close his doors, windows, hood, and trunk. He can lock these entry points to prevent unauthorized entry into his driver compartment.
  • He can deflate and re-inflate his tires and produce tire traction spikes to overcome steep terrain.
  • KITT can rotate his "KNIGHT" license plate to reveal a fictitious one reading "KNI 667"
  • KITT's headlights can flash red and blue like police lights, and he has a siren.
  • KITT is equipped with a parachute
  • KITT can launch magnesium flares, which can also be used to divert heat-seeking missiles fired at him.
  • KITT has a hidden winch and grappling hook system. The grappling hook is first used in Episode 6, "Not a Drop to Drink"; the winch is first used in Episode 13, "Forget Me Not".
  • There are flame throwers mounted under the bumpers.
  • There is an induction coil under the front bumper that can induce electrical voltage or current in a metal object.
  • KITT can put out small fires from a sprayer in his bumpers.
  • From under the rear bumper, KITT can spray a jet of oil, creating an oil slick; or emit a plume of smoke, creating a smoke screen. KITT can also dispense a cloud of tear gas along with his smoke screen.
  • KITT has a high-powered ultra-frequency modulated resonating laser, capable of burning through steel plating. Until the laser was calibrated, KITT could not fire it himself; it could only be fired by KITT's technician Bonnie. If the laser was fired more than twice, it would drain KITT's batteries.