Motion Scanner is a human version of Mind Probe

[EyeEye]

Well, how do they "scan" motions in the first place? Imo, humanity does not have much tech to get about it.

This sophisticated device uses a variety of detectors and advanced computer algorithms to identify moving enemy units.

My idea is to research Motion Scanner after we get hands on Mind Probe.

Lore and Justification:
Since Mind Probe reads creature's stats by probing into its "brain" (Live or Cyber). Mind Probe pretty much can estimate distances to any readable target or simply read its location on map. Key difference between Mind Probe and Motion Scanner would be similar to that of antenna - MindProbe is strictly directional and able to focus on the object at far distances while MotionScanner is omni-directional thus its range is really limited but detection is more like WiFi-covered area.

I searched the forum but did not see that MScanner was ever dependable on Mind Probe research however it brings novelty and explanation to that item.

[Solarius Scorch]

Motion Scanner detects motion, not brain waves, so why?

Or do you mean changing how the scanner works and make it just detect nearby units instead?

[EyeEye]

Motion Scanner detects motion, not brain waves, so why?

Or do you mean changing how the scanner works and make it just detect nearby units instead?

Idk if that is possible at all. I saw posted requests about detection of units even if they did not move.
In case MotionScanner is a derivative from Mind Probe it will detect all units in the zone no matter if they moved or not hence it will be a "Scanner".

On second thought, perhaps humanity developed Motion Scanner based on sonars / microphones to be able to detect movements behind the walls and pinpoint locations. That correctly makes Motion Scanner a tech available from the start. Oops. 

[Solarius Scorch]

Idk if that is possible at all. I saw posted requests about detection of units even if they did not move.
In case MotionScanner is a derivative from Mind Probe it will detect all units in the zone no matter if they moved or not hence it will be a "Scanner".

Please note that this device is called a Motion Scanner. If X-Com developers wanted a scanner to detect any unit, moving or not, they would have done so... While not a coder, I am fairly certain that it would be easier to program without the additional movement check. But evidently that's not what they intended, so they went the extra mile and added this requirement. As for why, we can only theorize, but it was probably influenced by Alien and other titles which had explicit movement scanners.

On second thought, perhaps humanity developed Motion Scanner based on sonars / microphones to be able to detect movements behind the walls and pinpoint locations. That correctly makes Motion Scanner a tech available from the start. Oops. 

It's a gizmo that goes blip, there is no solid explanation how it works and none is needed. If you want, you can explain it like this.

Having said that, a separate psi scanner would be an interesting idea, as long as the engine allowed making robotic units and such undetectable to psi. (Robots aren't psionic, right? )

[krautbernd]

Sonar would probably be a terrible choice, given attenuation ans scattering. You're probably better off using EM radiation (microwave/radar spectrum) which has less trouble penetrating (normal) walls. It is apparently possible to detect vital signs this way (heartbeat/breathing). How practical this would be with 90'ish tech, let alone in anything but a controlled lab environment is a wholly different matter, but it's not total sci-fi as far as I can tell. Not anymore, anyway.

For a (fan-based) in-universe explanation see the Data canister, though I find it kind of ironic that with today's computing power we can use movements on the scale of blood cells and other particulates to detect vital signs instead.

Having said that, a separate psi scanner would be an interesting idea, as long as the engine allowed making robotic units and such undetectable to psi. (Robots aren't psionic, right? )

Aren't Sectopods supposed to have some sort of Psi-Inteface or something along those lines?

[Solarius Scorch]

Aren't Sectopods supposed to have some sort of Psi-Inteface or something along those lines?

Yes, Sectopods possibly even have a biological component, but Cyberdiscs seemingly don't. Not to even start with the plethora of robotic units introduced by various mods.