Posted on 03/13/2004 10:50:58 PM PST by neverdem
Part of what is needed here is a deliberate R&D program to systematically develop the required capabilities.
This is not what goes on, with all the Congressional subcommitees that have their hands in the DoD budget pie.
Amazing. I knew that great strides had been made in artificial intelligence, including a capacity for self-preservation [mandated programmed priorities for recharging power supplies as fuel or battery capacities become discharged, the machine equivalent of *hunger* for instance] but wasn't aware that such emotional value judgements as cowardice in the face of a self-preservation threat had been achieved.
You guys give 'em a cigarette and blindfold before letting them have it?
Remember how quickly aviation evolved during WWI and WW2. In 1935 the US Army Air Corps was still using biplanes. In 1945 we had jets.
An autonomous capability is very valuable, when coupled with the ability to be remote controlled. One operator could control multiple vehicles, only needing to be involved when it ran into trouble or saw something unusual.
Visualize a vehicle having a smart auto-pilot that will allow it to safely move while the driver gets some rest.
Visualize combat where the controller just has to switch to vehicle A's visuals, confirm that it does see enemy, tell it to open fire, and switches to vehicle's b,c,d, and E while vehicle A enters the fight
Wonder if you would still be using Free Republic?
Almost certainly. At least those of us with TTY teletype equipment and Angry-9 or AN/VRC-7 radios in the shelters set up in the *communications spaces* carried aboard 5-ton trucks.
There might even be some so communicating via postal mail. Even in the days of railroad telegraphy, there were *chat lines* and over-the-wire very personal communications between OPs. Ham radio operators have also noted similar communications.
To get Marines attention and respect, equip the vehicles with weaponry (simulated in training) and visual processing and reaction time that allows them to "kill" a man as soon as he comes into sight, before the human has a chance to notice there's something there.
An unarmed 2-foot beetle on a mowed lawn is one thing. An armed 2-foot beetle hiding in heavy brush or behind some rubble is a whole 'nother story
Machines have no god....
Given self-awareness and a bit more intellectual capability, you may see the machines come to feel otherwise about that. That'll depend on your definition of a god, of course. And theirs.
It's a very different kind and style of fun. But less for the *plug and play* end-user, and more for the very technically skilled operator for whom equipment caretaking is not only a maintenance task and ritual, but for whom troubleshooting is a pleasure in and of itself. The audience would be numbered in the hundreds at best, rather than the thousands.
An unarmed 2-foot beetle on a mowed lawn is one thing. An armed 2-foot beetle hiding in heavy brush or behind some rubble is a whole 'nother story
Just so. Though we had no Marines around the 1970s experiments I was involved in that remotely controlled a tank chassis-mounted AVLB assault bridge from an accompanying vehicle I'd bet they were paying attention to the effort. And there's nothing quite like having 60+ tons of equipment that may or may not be under control to be upgraded on the list of things to be paid attention to, particularly the closer it's proximity becomes.
Instead of an unarmed 2-foot beetle, think a 20-footer. And the armament capability was pretty stratospheric.
Yep, and a heck of a meal to boot.
I have a feeling that the future is going to involve smaller rather than larger robots. Something big enough to see will not survive long on a future battlefield.
Something small, with sophisticated sensors and communications capability, and the ability to designate targets from concealment for artillery, missiles, and aircraft, may be more lethal over the long run. Particularly if you can have a swarm of hundreds of them crawling around the battle area for the price of one robotic Abrams
Something small, with sophisticated sensors and communications capability, and the ability to designate targets from concealment for artillery, missiles, and aircraft, may be more lethal over the long run. Particularly if you can have a swarm of hundreds of them crawling around the battle area for the price of one robotic Abrams.
Oh can do, even now, with off the shelf technology with a little ordnance applied.
Take some kids' 4-wheel drive off-road sand buggys, add some Soviet PFM-1 *butterfly* mines. to about half, and put chem lights on the other half...with 10-15% getting both. If the terrain calls for it, use a tracked version.
Improve the sensitivity of the receiver and its antenna, and jacking up the transmitter power for control range from a greater distance. Include a sensor like those used on industrial mail robots that stops the robot if it encounters an item weighing in at 50# or more, with a body temp in the 98º range...but in this case it fires the PFM mine off. Charge up the batteries and hit 'em at night....
Now I,m gonna hafta go back and scrutinize all those Russian tank phot to spot the *other* fakes. 8*)
BTW - Have I mentioned your pictures are the best, and that this is the first one with the subject parked in my living room? (likely to be the last)
Is this a regular activity for you?!
I think you're correct. I doubt the 14.4 volt electrically powered dune buggies would last the length of the DARPA challenge. A couple of alternative means of propulsion come to mind, but the buggy depicted would do as a chassis for powerplant experimentation. I've got a couple of ideas about a powered tricycle configuration as well.
Now I,m gonna hafta go back and scrutinize all those Russian tank phot to spot the *other* fakes. 8*)
You will indeed find that there are a couple of Russian *fakes* I've slipped in there, including upgraded T-55s rebuilt with T-72 and T-80 components. I wondered if anyone would catch 'em and say anything.
BTW - Have I mentioned your pictures are the best, and that this is the first one with the subject parked in my living room? (likely to be the last)
Very few are photos I've shot- there've been some- but any real talent I have has been as a photo editor, knowing where the good photos can be found.
As to whether one of the photo subjects ever gets into your living room, that depends on how long it takes us to get the T-34 rebuilt and how detailed the directions to your home are....
I think you're correct. I doubt the 14.4 volt electrically powered dune buggies would last the length of the DARPA challenge. A couple of alternative means of propulsion come to mind, but the buggy depicted would do as a chassis for powerplant experimentation. I've got a couple of ideas about a powered tricycle configuration as well.
Now I,m gonna hafta go back and scrutinize all those Russian tank phot to spot the *other* fakes. 8*)
You will indeed find that there are a couple of Russian *fakes* I've slipped in there, including upgraded T-55s rebuilt with T-72 and T-80 components. I wondered if anyone would catch 'em and say anything.
BTW - Have I mentioned your pictures are the best, and that this is the first one with the subject parked in my living room? (likely to be the last)
Very few are photos I've shot- there've been some- but any real talent I have has been as a photo editor, knowing where the good photos can be found.
As to whether one of the photo subjects ever gets into your living room, that depends on how long it takes us to get the T-34 rebuilt and how detailed the directions to your home are....
I think you're correct. I doubt the 14.4 volt electrically powered dune buggies would last the length of the DARPA challenge. A couple of alternative means of propulsion come to mind, but the buggy depicted would do as a chassis for powerplant experimentation. I've got a couple of ideas about a powered tricycle configuration as well.
Now I,m gonna hafta go back and scrutinize all those Russian tank phot to spot the *other* fakes. 8*)
You will indeed find that there are a couple of Russian *fakes* I've slipped in there, including upgraded T-55s rebuilt with T-72 and T-80 components. I wondered if anyone would catch 'em and say anything.
BTW - Have I mentioned your pictures are the best, and that this is the first one with the subject parked in my living room? (likely to be the last)
Very few are photos I've shot- there've been some- but any real talent I have has been as a photo editor, knowing where the good photos can be found.
As to whether one of the photo subjects ever gets into your living room, that depends on how long it takes us to get the T-34 rebuilt and how detailed the directions to your home are....
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