Changelog

Version: 2.5.1
Date: 2026-05-13
  Changes:
    - Reconnect to last vehicle shortcut is now Shift+Z (was Ctrl+Z), so it stops fighting undo in chat and elsewhere.
    - Hooks into Vehicle Control Center using its current remote name (vehicle-control-center) and the new context-button API instead of the old “centre” spelling and simple register-button flow.
    - ceelos-vehicle-gui-util is no longer required: the left-toolbar and vehicle GUI actions (neural connect, orphaned engineer inventory, call spidertron, map at vehicle, open vehicle inventory) are registered and refreshed through Vehicle Control Center.
    - Neural connect only shows when it makes sense: empty seat, or only a reusable dummy/orphan in the driver slot; hidden while the vehicle already has an active neural link or a real player in the seat.
    - Works more cleanly when you’re on the spidertron remote: selection is resolved the same way Vehicle Control Center expects, with clearer feedback if nothing is selected.
    - Dummy-engineer detection treats orphaned engineers the same as active ones where it matters, so inventories and UI logic stay in sync.
    - Fallback vehicle GUI helpers were adjusted for the newer toolbar layout and icons, and opening the map prefers Vehicle Control Center’s follow-on-map when that mod offers it.
    - Older neural/orphan button names from earlier layouts still route through the same actions, so you are less likely to end up with dead clicks after an upgrade.
    - Introduced new functions for vehicle entity comparison and player control validation.
    - Refactored vehicle resolution logic to streamline vehicle retrieval from payloads.
    - Added conditions for neural disconnect functionality, ensuring proper player-vehicle control checks.
    - Updated GUI integration to include a new "Neural Disconnect" button with appropriate context actions.
    - Enhanced refresh functionality for the Vehicle Control Center toolbar upon connection and disconnection events.
  Bugfixes:
    - On vehicle death, move dummy engineer inventory into the vehicle trunk (corpse) first, then spill overflow at the wreck — reverted after in-game test still lost dummy items.

Version: 2.5.0
Date: 2025-12-11
  Features:
    - Orphaned dummy engineer system: dummy engineers are kept alive after disconnection if they have items, are crafting, or have active logistic requests
    - Delayed destruction: dummy engineers are not immediately destroyed on disconnect, allowing crafting to continue and preventing immediate item spillage
    - Smart reconnection: reconnecting to the same vehicle reuses the existing orphaned dummy engineer instead of creating a new one
    - GUI integration: added button in vehicle GUI to open the inventory of connected/orphaned dummy engineers
    - Physical entry handling: when a player physically enters a vehicle with an orphaned dummy engineer, the engineer is automatically destroyed and items are spilled
    - Periodic cleanup: automatic cleanup of completely idle orphaned engineers (no items, no crafting, no logistic requests) every 15 minutes
    - Vehicle destruction handling: orphaned engineers are properly cleaned up when their associated vehicle is destroyed
  Bug fixes:
    - Improved connection stability and reliability
    - Enhanced entity reference restoration after game load
    - Optimized orphaned engineer cleanup logic
    - Refined GUI button integration with Vehicle Control Center
    - Better handling of edge cases in connection/disconnection scenarios

Version: 2.4.0
Date: 2025-05-08
  Bug fix:
    - Handles connected vehicle being destroyed when the surface is not the original engineers surface

Version: 2.3.0
Date: 2025-05-08
  Features:
    - GUI Removed and mod is now dependent on Vehicle Control Center
    - Support for all vehicles has been added

Version: 2.2.0
Date: 2025-04-27
  Features:
    - Gui revamp (inspired by Spidertron control center)
      - Easily filter spiders by surface and spider-type
      - New icons to remotely connect to Vehicles
    - New Shortcuts to open the Control Centre and to reconnect to last vehicle
    - Use CONTOL + Z to reconnect to last vehicle too

Version: 2.1.0
Date: 2025-04-05
  Bug fix:
    - Crash when reconnecting to player engineer from a connection on another surface made through the map/remote view

Version: 2.0.0
Date: 2025-03-29
  Bugs:
    - Load error fixed for non-Space Age factorio 2.0

Version: 1.0.0
Date: 2025-03-24
  Version Update:
    - Update for Factorio Version 2.0

Version: 0.3.0
Date: 2024-10-01
  Compatibility:
    - Support for Spiderdrones

Version: 0.2.2
Date: 2024-09-27
  Bugfixes:
    - Crashes upon death fixed

Version: 0.2.1
Date: 2024-09-27
  Features:
    - Added feature to connect into trains
    - Fail safe for SE Space Elevator

Version: 0.1.27
Date: 2024-09-17
  Features:
    - Support for non-drivable Spider-entities
    - Compatibility with Spiderbots

Version: 0.1.26
Date: 2024-09-13
  Features:
    - More bug fixes

Version: 0.1.25
Date: 2024-09-12
  Features:
    - Further GUI Updates

Version: 0.1.24
Date: 2024-09-12
  Features:
    - Bug Fixes

Version: 0.1.23
Date: 2024-09-10
  Features:
    - GUI Updates
  Bugs:
    - Map stays open if connecting via map

Version: 0.1.22
Date: 2024-09-09
  Features:
    - Space Spidertron Compatibility

Version: 0.1.21
Date: 2024-09-09
  Bug Fixes:
    - Neural connections remembered upon loading

Version: 0.1.9
Date: 2024-09-05
  Features:
    - Space Exploration Compatibility

Version: 0.1.8
Date: 2024-09-05
  Features:
    - Connect to a spidertron within the spidertrons GUI
    - Produces the correct GUI on death
  Bugs:
    - When connecting to a Spidertron via the map the map stays open - add a check and close map

Version: 0.1.7
Date: 2024-09-04
  Features:
    - Handles disconnecting, taking damage, and deaths of both the engineer and connected spidertron correctly.

Version: 0.1.6
Date: 2024-09-04
  Features:
    - Handles Spidertron being destroyed while connected
      - Spills inventory items
      - Returns player back to the engineer
    - Correctly tracks players death and respawns the player
  Bugs:
    - Maybe handle the respawn better - inline with vanilla game ended gui

Version: 0.1.5
Date: 2024-09-04
  Features:
    - Handles the engineer taking damage while neurally connected - forces transfer back to the player

Version: 0.1.4
Date: 2024-09-04
  Features:
    - "SHIFT + E" Shortcut to open spiders inventory when piloting
    - Handles crafting queue returning items to the inventory upon disconnect

Version: 0.1.3
Date: 2024-09-03
  Features:
    - Neural link character engineers inventory is transfered to the Spidertron trunk - if trunk if full then items are spilled
    - Extends reach, resource reach, item pickup, loot pickup, item drop distances while neurally controlling the Spidertron
    - Increases mining speed by 2x while driving Spidertron

Version: 0.1.1
Date: 2024-09-03
  Features:
    - When connecting to a Spidertron the engineer has control over the weapons (thank you DaveMcW)

Version: 0.1.0
Date: 2024-09-01
  Features:
    - Initial release
    - Added ability to transfer consciousness to Spidertrons
    - Added ability to transfer back to player character