KITT

KITT is the computerised car at the center of the Knight Rider series. The name is an acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand, although this was later changed to Knight Industries Three Thousand for the new series in 2008.

The original 1980's version of KITT was a 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, voiced by the actor William Daniels in the series. In the 2008 series, the Pontiac was out of production and so a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR was used as the main car instead.

A prototype version of KITT exists known as KARR. KARR is short for Knight Automated Roving Robot, and while the vehicle uses typically the same technology as KITT, it is rogue and its sole intent is to destroy KITT.

KITT in the original Knight Rider series

In the original series of Knight Rider, it was claimed that KITT was the design of the billionairre Wilton Knight who was also the founder of Knight Industries and its subsidiary, the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG).

While the only clue to KITT's unique features was the glowing red scanner on the front, the interior of the car was heavily modified with dual monitors and several panels of buttons where the driver could access KITT's features.

The features of the original KITT include:

• Artificial Intelligence: The computer chip that is KITT's core allows him to learn from experiences and to communicate in plain English with humans he encountered.
• Turbo Boost: A frequently used feature which could massively boost KITT's speed and also give an upwards lift to carry the car over any obstacles blocking its way.
• Molecular Bonded Shell: The special compound that protected KITT from gunfire and heavy impact. KITT's bonded shell could protect it from most artilary, but could be neutralised by acids or heavy missile fire.
• Microwave Jammer: KITT could use his microwave jammer to interfere with electronics. This included a wide range of computerised equipment such as cash machines and security cameras.
• Comlink: The comlink was KITT's way of communicating with Michael in the field. Michael wore a digital watch through which he could talk to and hear KITT. It also contained equipment that allowed KITT to scan Michael's immediate vicinity.

KITT in the 2008 series

In the 2008 series of Knight Rider, the main car was a Ford Mustang Shelby. Like its predecessor, it is impervious to gunfire, but using nanotechnology in order to protect itself. KITT can also use the nanotechnology to morph into other shapes of cars. However, the nanotech introduces a vulnerability in that a direct hit while KITT is transforming into another shape will disable the car completely.

The new series introduces the character of Charles Graiman as the original designer of KITT, slightly contradicting the original series' claim that Wilton Knight was the inventor. However, the story does resolve this somewhat by claiming that Graiman developed the car for Knight as his employee.

KITT's feature set has been completely upgraded to reflect internet technology. KITT's AI seems to be far more advanced, as he uploads his data to the Internet to protect himself from being shut down by Alex Torres.