It boils down to how quick you want the drone to work, I guess (it doesn't look like you need a seperate workshop if an additional skill is used). Assuming you won't have any aircraft or watercraft, and that a penalty of -(5-Pilot) applies if not working from plans, it's like this:
- Workshops and drone: 5k for an Automotive Mechanic workshop, 5k for an Armorer workshop, 6k for a Mr. Fix-It with a single L3 Autosoft: 16k.
- 5 Autosofts: Automotive Mechanic, Armorer, Hardware, Disguise for Smuggling Compartment and Concealed Weapon Mounts, Artisan for Personalized Grip.
- 4 dice (buy 1 hit): 4 L1 Autosofts = 2k extra: total 18k.
- 4 dice even if no plans: add an Adaptability 2 Autosoft (1k) for 6 dice (8 after the -2 penalty): total 19k.
- 7 dice (buy 2 hits if you have plans): Adaptability 1 Autosoft (0.5k), 4 L3 Autosofts = 6k extra: total 22.5k.
- 8 dice even if no plans: install a Fuzzy Logic mod (2.5k) for 10 dice (8 after the penalty): total 25k.
- 11 dice (buy 3 hits if you have plans): Fuzzy Logic mod (2.5k), Adaptability 2 Autosoft (1k), 4 L3 Autosofts (6k): total 25.5k.
- 12 dice even if no plans (option A): Response 5 (4k), Pilot 5 (12.5k), Fuzzy Logic mod (2.5k), Adaptability 1 Autosoft (0.5k), 4 L3 Autosofts (6k): total 41.5k. 5+3+1+3 = 12 dice, Pilot 5+ means no penalties for Working From Memory.
- 12 dice even if no plans (option B): Response 4 (2k), Pilot 4 (10k), Fuzzy Logic mod (2.5k), Adaptability 3 Autosoft (1.5k), 4 L3 Autosofts (6k): total 38k. 4+3+3+3 = 13 dice, 12 after the -1 penalty.
The nice parts about that last one are that everything has Availability 12 or less (so it's available at chargen), it doesn't require a Feng Shui Lifestyle Quality, and unless you install a mod that requires a Facility, it'll do fine (and depending on your GM's mood, you might even be allowed to do those with a -2 or -4 penalty).
Mantis: I don't think you really need Ergonomic, since the drone could simply only have the autosofts it needs for the modification active - it's not like it can work on 2 different things at the same time, anyway.
