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 Knight Industries Two Thousand – K.I.T.T.- Behind the Scanner carlustblog.com 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 (Knight 2000) was designed by Wilton Knight, a brilliant but eccentric billionaire, who established the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG) 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 Episode 5, "Just My Bill"). 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 (an ability first used in Episode 48, "Knight of the Drones, Pt. 2").
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 (this was first used in Episode 17, "Chariot of Gold"). He also has a function which can be activated in order to completely lock the AI from accessing the vehicle controls (first used in Episode 8, "Trust Doesn't Rust"). 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 (a modified '80s LCD AM radio watch) 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 (used in Episode 42, "A Good Knight's Work" and in "Knights of the Fast Lane").
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 can detect people and vehicles and track their movements and discern proximity KITT can gather structural schematics of buildings, vehicles, or other devices to help Michael avoid potential danger KITT can monitor radio transmissions and telephone communications, and trace those calls KITT can monitor computer systems, or upload and download information as long as he can break the access codes
KITT's other sensors include: Audio and visual microscanners and sensors throughout his interior and exterior A medical scanner with an electrocardiograph (EKG), that can monitor and display individuals' vital signs, and indicate conditions such as injury, poison, stress, or other emotional behavior (first used in Episode 1, "Knight of the Phoenix (Pt. 2)") A Voice Stress Analyzer which can process spoken voices and determine if deception is present (first used in Episode 26, "Merchants of Death") 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 (first used in Episode 25, "Brother's Keeper")
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 (1.37 g). 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 (322 km/h). 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 (first used in Episode 47, "Knight of the Drones").
KITT has four main driving modes: Normal cruise: Michael has control of the car. In an emergency, KITT can activate Auto Cruise mode - this was first seen in the pilot episode when Michael falls asleep at the wheel and KITT assumes control. KITT can also override Michael's actions if he is wilfully endangering his life (first seen in the Series 1 episode Trust Doesn't Rust, when Michael plays a game of chicken with KARR) Auto cruise: KITT's CPU controls the car using an advanced Auto Collision Avoidance system. Pursuit mode: A combination of manual and computer-assisted operation used during high-speed driving. KITT can respond to road conditions faster than Michael's reflexes; however, Michael is technically in control of the vehicle and KITT helps to guide certain maneuvers. Silent mode: This feature dampens his engine noise and allows him to sneak around (first used in Episode 37, "White-Line Warriors")
Other vehicle modes include: a two-wheel ski drive that allows KITT to drive up on two wheels (first used in Episode 1, "Knight of the Phoenix"); an aquatic synthesizer that allows KITT to hydroplane, using his wheels and turbo system for propulsion (first used in Episode 28, "Return to Cadiz", and removed by the end of the episode because it was faulty); and a High Traction Drop Downs (HTDD) system that hydraulically raises KITT's chassis for better traction when driving off-road (first used in Episode 39, "Speed Demons").
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 (first used in Episode 15, "The Topaz Connection").
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 (first used in Episode 17, "Chariot of Gold").
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 (First used in Episode 59, "Knight by a Nose").
Driver compartment KITT has two front ejection seats (first used in Episode 1, "Knight of the Phoenix"), firstly to remove two car thieves who attempt to steal him, then to deposit Michael on a nearby rooftop. In line with his primary directive, KITT will eject Michael (and his passenger) in a last resort as a lifesaving measure if a fatal collision is imminent.
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 (first used in Episode 5, "Slammin' Sammy's Stunt Show Spectacular"). 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 (KITT never harmed anyone with his feature, but used it one time to rid the compartment of smoke after bombs were detonated in his trunk).
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