Drones

Drones, initially created by Freywall as a means of communication, are small, robotic machines that scout and survey dig sites for solarium  and other ores.

They are naturally powered by solarium crystals.

In the future era, Aetas Novum used the drones as a means of surveillance on the inhabitants of all mining corporations. When commoners became aware of the new use for drones, they quickly destroyed them all.