Military Robots

British Scientist Warns We Must Protect The Vulnerable From Robots

Greg Schnippel — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:25:44 -0800

Top robotics expert Professor Noel Sharkey, of the University of Sheffield, has called for international guidelines to be set for the ethical and safe application of robots before it is too late.

A Soldier, Taking Orders From Its Ethical Judgment Center

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:00:44 -0800

In the heat of battle, their minds clouded by fear, anger or vengefulness, even the best-trained soldiers can act in ways that violate the Geneva Conventions or battlefield rules of engagement. Now some researchers suggest that robots could do better.

Are Pentagon Nerds Developing Packs of Man-Hunting Killer Robots?

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:48:45 -0800

The Pentagon's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program recently sent out a call for contractors to design a pack of robots whose main purpose would be to track down what the SBIR ominously referred to as "noncooperative human subject[s]."

How does the robot pack decide which human is cooperative and which is not? Welcome to the wonderful, dystopian world of defense pork.

Packs of Robots will Hunt Down Uncooperative Humans

Greg Schnippel — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:08:05 -0700

The Pentagon is looking for contractors to provide a "Multi-Robot
Pursuit System" that will let packs of robots "search for and detect a
non-cooperative human" invoking ethical concerns about roving packs of
robots with tasers chasing down demonstrators.

WarBots: Latest in Military Strategy

Greg Schnippel — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:19:57 -0700

Imagine a scenario in which one of the world's largest oil pipelines could be guarded from attack without deploying any sort of large military force or private security personnel. Imagine if hundreds of makeshift explosives could be detected, extracted or even diffused before endangering the lives of a surrounding civilian presence. Imagine if a government could launch a full-scale military attack with only a handful of mechanical engineers and a fleet of 30,000 robots equipped with automatic firing and rocket launching abilities for land, air and sea.

Swarms of Robots Join the Army

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:46:41 -0700

Small robots working in swarms have finally moved out of the laboratory and into the real world. That was the most significant feature of the Ministry of Defence's Grand Challenge competition, held over the weekend. It's an idea that is also being pursued by the US military.

The advantages of a decentralised swarm have long been apparent to researchers. After all, it's a strategy that has proven effective for ants, bees and other social insects for millions of years. However, until now, robot swarms have been experimental rather than practical.

Flying robots

US Wants Killer Robots for Terror Fight

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:52:00 -0700

Killer robots which can change their shape to squeeze under doors and through cracks in walls to track their prey are moving from the realms of science fiction to the front line in the fight against terrorism.

The US military has signed a GBP 1.6m deal with a technology firm to design robots which are intelligent enough to work out how to wiggle through small spaces to reach their target.

War Without Soldiers

Greg Schnippel — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:38:07 -0800

The U.S. military is undergoing a big shift as defense robotics are more focused on killing and less dependent on humans than ever before.

America's Robot Army: Are Unmanned Fighters Ready for Combat?

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:34:59 -0700

'Robot arms race' underway, expert warns

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:35:00 -0700