Free Republic

Columbia University Engineers, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), have developed a “robot metabolism” process that gives robots the unusual ability to consume other robots and use their components to heal, grow, and improve themselves. In a statement, the researchers behind the ominous-sounding work say that the ability of robots to maintain and potentially improve their physical components and capabilities, while artificial intelligence systems are already expanding their own autonomous capabilities, is a necessary step toward “self-sustaining robot ecologies.” Unlike biological organisms, robots lack the ability to change, repair, or improve their physical state without outside assistance....

The battling robots are back! Twelve years after BattleBots ended its run on Comedy Central, ABC has picked up a reimagined take of the killer robot combat sport, from Whalerock Industries and the creators of the original BattleBots franchise, Ed Roski and Greg Munson. Former ABC topper Lloyd Braun executive produces the project, which has received a six-episode order to air this summer.

Russian military officials announced today that machine gun wielding "battle bots" have entered the final stage of testing, ushering in a dangerous new era of warfare. While initial plans for the "Terminator-like" death robots are initially slated to guard intercontinental missile sites as early as 2020, military experts predict we could see non-human infantry as a primary weapon to be used in ground assaults and defense in the not too distant future. Major Dmitry Andreyev of Russia's Defense Ministry Strategic Missile Force made the announcement Friday that testing of the battle bots was entering its final stages. "Trials will be focused...