Comments on: Hopping robots display pack instinct

All seeing, armed, hopping robot could replace attack dogs.

[man_w_balls]

This is horrifying! Robots that automatically try to kill all humans within a 360º field of view?

"360 degree panoramic video technology and a patented Point & Go sensor guidance mode to run down and 'instinctively eliminate' human targets at ranges of up to 30 yards"

Sounds like the potential for accidental deaths is extremely high with these kill-bots. *** are they thinking?

[myles taylor]

A robot is a tool, just like a gun is a tool. So far, we don't have robots that can think for themselves and we are still a long way away from that, so I don't think that we are going to have a problem. As far as I can tell, these robots are controlled by humans, just like a gun, a car, or any other lethal tool used by the military or law enforcement today.

[Jack K1]

This is nothing short of awesome! Imagine a steady stream of these returning to pit crews for rearming/recharging during a firefight?

GPS-based "patrol zones" and "kill zones" would limit the critter's activities. Enhancements might include human verification of each target.

The "negotiator" model might have live video/mic/speakers instead in order to safely establish communications between hostile (or friendly) groups.

A "communications relay" model could provide communications relays when working around communications shadows.

Other features: swarming capability, tear gas dispenser, electronic signal jamming, and vehicle disabling, NBC detection.

Other uses: search and rescue, building security, minefield clearing, patrol, alarm, tea trolley.

Oh, and the "French" model could come equipped with little robot arms it could raise and a "fast reverse" feature.

Wow!

[nihouma]

Awesome? Awesome!? This is horrible. Now, maybe if they would only incapacitate targets, but they can kill! That is horrible. Any device that kills is horrible. Though you do have some great ideas for non-lethal purposes =)

[lazarbel]

nihouma, do you live on this planet? Get a grip.

[pjhenry1216]

Electronic signal jamming isn't all that great an idea for something that is remote controlled. I can only see this working on a timer, such that you put it in position, set conditions for when it should turn off the jammer (and possibly use a maximum time length in case conditions are never met), and then you lose control and just hope for the best. Unless its a more targeted signal jamming in which case your signal isn't corrupted.

[oldmacdev]

Odd, iRobot also has a pretty complete patent on point-and-go semi-autonomous navigation for robots.

[kcotham]

Doesn't this violate the Laws of Robotics? Asimov would be very troubled by this. It opens up a big can of worms.

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

[tlynnm4591]

So by fighting bad guys, who are trying to kill humans, the robot would be doing exactly what law 1 says. If the robot took no action it would be allowing humans to come to harm, violating law 1.

[HakNick]

And how would a robot know what's good or bad ?

[myles taylor]

The laws of robotics are fictional.

[Hunnter2k3]

This robot has no real decision parameters.
It sees a certain range, it fires, end of story.
This is purely reactionary.

While it is argued that all life is reactionary, this doesn't factor in any other decisions, it is a singular reactionary "organism".
At least, if it was not controlled by a human.

[U. Tripps]

So it's obvious this is the kind of thing that every sci-fi writer is terrified of and trying to warn us about. But what I want to know is, how much punch does a 40 gram warhead pack?

[Demolition]

The last paragragh ileft out some details that explain the lethality of these little rockets. In the linked article at defense-update.com, it states that "ODF, in cooperation with Rafael are developing a lethal configuration for the EyeDrive, where the robot could carry up to 16 miniature rockets, capable of eliminating human target from a distance of 30 meters."

In other words, a 40-gram warhead can kill a human at up to 30 meters (98.4 feet) distance.

[myles taylor]

You guys see the remote control there? We are decades away (if it's even possible) from a self-aware, conscious robot. The robot is a tool that a human uses and controls. We have tons of these, including missiles, guns, fighters...the list goes on and on. The robot cannot kill anything, just like a gun can't kill anything. A person holding a gun can. Same thing.

[HakNick]

In fact this statement:
"360 degree panoramic video technology and a patented Point & Go sensor guidance mode to run down and 'instinctively eliminate' human targets at ranges of up to 30 yards"
is in the article for a reason.
Once all the visuals and detection sensors + scanning and decision making ability is taken care of (which is being worked on and researched quite a lot lately) then the bots can definitely kill based on the configuration info. They need NOT be conscious and that's the whole idea.

[myles taylor]

They still have to be given targets. That just gives them the ability to identify them better. They don't just tell them to shoot all humans.

People are so scared of robots and stuff. They are constantly portrayed in the movies as going evil, etc. The thing is, humans are evil, and tools in the hands of humans kill millions. It's like the people who say they don't trust computers to drive cars cause computers crash....over a milion people die every year from people crashing. I'd trust a computer any day.

[HakNick]

Just "great" ... human assassins were not enough ...
Now we also have bot assassins ...

Who in the right mind would ever want automatic killing machines. Even if they were somehow able to distinguish between two or more types of humans (still insane considering complications of warfare) it is just horrifying.

[SteamChip]

The whole concept of war itself is horrifying. Losing a war is perhaps even more horrifying. However, we got it and the side with the best ideology, strategy, tactics, army, supply, logistics and EQUIPMENT will have the best chance of winning. Robots, automated, self aware, or otherwise are just part of that element.

If we can do something about war in general, then the machines and guns used to conduct it will become unnecessary.

[ballmerisanape]

My roomba has been acting funny recently.. following me around the house... This morning, when I woke up, it was sitting about 5 inches from my face.. scared the crap out of me!

[erike3mb]

And why should I trust some ninja clad storm trooper to control this power. I don't even trust these brown shirts with tasers.

[Blisterpeanuts]

To the liberals who are "horrified" by these gadgets:

These robots are simply remote controlled tools for soldiers. They are not autonomous thinkers. They will allow soldiers to remain in safe dug-outs while scouting hostile terrain and possibly engaging hostile combatants.

It makes perfect sense for Israel's kind of enemies, who prefer to hide in houses and alleyways and would probably result in fewer non-combatant casualties, as compared to airstrikes and long distance shelling of targets.

Realize that the horrifying thing is these Muslim militants (yes, Muslim, there's scarcely any other kind right now) who don't hesitate to kill civilians when it suits their purposes. These 'bots are an example of a much more compassionate approach to surgically removing the bad guys while not blowing up the kindergartens they hide in.

[cwclifford]

Haha, the French retreat dig was funny - just never gets old! There must be a very poor retention rate in our schools here when it comes to the fact that if it weren't for the French we'd be England II.

What your are missing from this battle of money.

Just an aside about the Iraq war for all you mongerers:

France, Russia, and China have 40-60 billion dollars of contracts over the next ten years.

Germany and France has sold most of the oil equipment to the Iraq in the last ten years.

Do you now see clearly?