Packs of robots will hunt down uncooperative humans

New Scientist ^ | 22 Oct 2008 | Paul Marks

[BGHater]

The latest request from the Pentagon jars the senses. At least, it did mine. They are looking for contractors to provide a "Multi-Robot Pursuit System" that will let packs of robots "search for and detect a non-cooperative human".

One thing that really bugs defence chiefs is having their troops diverted from other duties to control robots. So having a pack of them controlled by one person makes logistical sense.

But I'm concerned about where this technology will end up.

Given that iRobot last year struck a deal with Taser International to mount stun weapons on its military robots, how long before we see packs of droids hunting down pesky demonstrators with paralysing weapons? Or could the packs even be lethally armed? I asked two experts on automated weapons what they thought - click the continue reading link to read what they said.

Both were concerned that packs of robots would be entrusted with tasks - and weapons - they were not up to handling without making wrong decisions.

Steve Wright of Leeds Metropolitan University is an expert on police and military technologies, and last year correctly predicted this pack-hunting mode of operation would happen. "The giveaway here is the phrase 'a non-cooperative human subject'," he told me:

"What we have here are the beginnings of something designed to enable robots to hunt down humans like a pack of dogs. Once the software is perfected we can reasonably anticipate that they will become autonomous and become armed.

We can also expect such systems to be equipped with human detection and tracking devices including sensors which detect human breath and the radio waves associated with a human heart beat. These are technologies already developed."

[renosathug]

Yes, and Barack just bought a bunch of them. They’ll come in handy in an Obama administration.

[Lazamataz]

INTRUDER ALERT INTRUDER ALERT

STOP THE HUMANOID

[KoRn]

[Yo-Yo]

Cue the Terminator jokes in 3-2-1...

[MaxMax]

Utopia for socialists. Um that death was just a bad robot and it's been dismantled.
Sorry about that, but one loss is a small price for the common good of our country.

Nobody to blame accept for the blue collar mechanic, and he's in prison awaiting execution.

[Undertow]

I LOVED BERZERK AS A KID!!!!

I miss the old 2600

[HereInTheHeartland]

“Packs of robots will hunt down uncooperative humans”

ACORN workers digging up votes?

[gundog]

I’d give one about 2 minutes in the Uregon woods.

[Boagenes]

[retrokitten]

We all need to get Old Glory Robot Attack Insurance.

[tumblindice]

“Packs of wobots? Anatomically cowwect wobots?”
Lili Von Shtupp

[lewisglad]

[Peter Horry]

Well, we do have a Sarah in the wings. Wonder what Piper’s roll will be.

[Cyber Liberty]

Both were concerned that packs of robots would be entrusted with tasks - and weapons - they were not up to handling without making wrong decisions.

In some parts of the country, an exchange of these things with the standard-issue LEOs would not be noticed.

[Citizen Blade]

“Packs of wobots? Anatomically cowwect wobots?” Lili Von Shtupp

Maybe

[lewisglad]

Now that's a robot.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

[wolfcreek]

Large *terminator* style robots are so expensive and space-robbing. Nano is the way to go.

[Citizen Blade]

Hunt me down, baby! I'm being an uncooperative human!