Dr. Asuda is the government researcher who single-handedly developed the neurochip used in the Tachikoma's A.I. and is considered by the Tachikomas to be their father. In the episode "Afternoon of the Machines – PAT," Asuda tries unsuccessfully to defect from Japan because as a state-funded scientist, he is not allowed to hold patents on his inventions. Desiring to leave a record of his achievement, the good doctor inserted a trace of himself in Tachikoma's memory during their reconstruction post-season 1. To prevent another collapse in the A.I. structural integrity, it is decided that he'd delete this last bit of sentimentality.