What is the Scanner?

The Scanner is a tool that can be used to synthesise blueprints from salvaged technology, and to record alien biological data. It has a range of five meters and when you point its crosshair at a scannable object in range, a white circle (a progress indicator) will appear in the middle of the screen. If you are not using the Scanner and you come across an object you have not yet scanned a small Scanner icon will appear in the bottom right of the screen to inform you. To scan an object takes about 10 seconds and if scanning is interrupted during that time by you either looking away or the target moves out of range you will be able to resume scanning later with no loss of progress. You can also use the Scanner to give yourself a self-scan to determine your own physical well-being. The scanner will search for foreign bacteria and other signs of ill-health and compare with available data to provide a diagnosis.