Sidekuds

Sidekuds are a term used in science fiction and fantasy to describe autonomous or semi-autonomous companion units that accompany a central character or operator. They function as aides, partners, or support systems, often combining utility with personality. The term is used broadly to cover diverse forms, including artificial intelligences, robotic drones, genetically engineered beings, or enchanted artifacts that operate with some degree of independence.

In many narratives, sidekuds handle information gathering, logistics, or technical tasks, freeing the main character to focus on action or strategy. They may also provide social interaction, serving as foils, confidants, or moral counterweights. Sidekuds vary in autonomy from limited scripted behavior to self-directed goals, and their agency often evolves over the story.

Common archetypes include navigators who gather data and plot routes, combat-support units that engage threats, advisors who interpret information for decisions, and morale companions that provide emotional support. Dynamic relationships with their human or main-character counterparts drive tension, humor, and character development.

In design and analysis, creators weigh questions of consent, autonomy, and ethics, as overreliance or manipulation by a sidekud can undermine agency or safety. In culture, the concept appears in games, web fiction, fan communities, and media studies, where sidekuds are used to explore companionship and dependency.

See also: sidekick, companion robot, intelligent agent.