HAL 9000/Bio & Battles

Heuristically Programmed Algorithmic Computer 9000 (HAL 9000) is an artificial intelligence machine used as the computer of the spaceship Discovery One.

HAL assumes complete control of the spaceship he controls on its mission to Jupiter and initially functions flawlessly. When the two astronauts not in suspended animation, Frank Poole and Dave Bowman, order HAL to shut down his listening functions, he complies, but uses his visual scanners to read the lips of the two men and discovers they plan to shut him down in order to complete the journey much more smoothly.

Although HAL keeps his demeanor the same, speaking softly and in a conversational tone of voice, he goes berserk, ignoring the orders of the crewmen. When Frank tries to fix a unit on the ship during a spacewalk, HAL cuts off supply to his oxygen tank. Dave tries to rescue him, unaware this was HAL's doing, and is denied access back into the ship while the astronauts in suspended animation have their life functions terminated. Dave eventually forces his way into the ship's emergency airlock, and makes his way to HAL's memory core. Although HAL pleads Dave to turn back and confesses his fears, Dave disconnects HAL and ends his reign of terror aboard the ship, heading to Jupiter himself.