An instance is a mechanical or biomechanical machine piloted by an independent Synthetic Intelligence. A machine that does not support sufficient compute to run a copy of part of the synths decision making model (such as smaller drones and all motes) is instead considered to be managed by (when interacting with its API) or programmed by (when altering its software) a synth which is interacting with it. A machine with sufficient compute to run a non-trivial synth model which does not posses any significant onboard intelligence is often called a shell, these range in size from humanoid to a full Naval Rated Ship and are categorized by function, such as combat, labor, or companion. In cases where a synth takes temporary control of intelligence embedded machine, such as a larger Naval Auxiliary drone with sufficient compute, it is often referred to as an instance drone. Especially since the Retrograde Diaspora instances perform the majority of off-earth labour and piloting duties