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The Pros And Cons Of Killer Robots

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Background What image comes to mind when one hears the words “Killer Robot”? If one visualises the laser-wielding android in Terminator 2 which threatens to overpower its defenceless human adversaries, one would not be too far from the truth[1]. Today, advanced robots capable of engaging a human target autonomously are no longer confined to fiction but are instead rapidly becoming a reality. “Killer Robots” - or, officially, “Lethal Autonomous Robots” (LARs), are robots that - once activated - can operate without any further human intervention. This new weapons system is capable of identifying and attacking a human target on its own. Delegates should note that these robots differ from non-autonomous, armed robots, or peaceful, autonomous …show more content…

· it did not have the heat signature of a human being · Maars: equipped with loudspeaker, teargas, machine gun · In 2012: Dr Noel Sharkey said that all of the robots currently in use have a person to control them. Limitations of LARs · There are systems that have a weak form of discrimination · For example, the Israeli Harpy is a loitering munition that detects radar signals. When it finds one, it looks at its database to find out if it is friendly and if not, it dive bombs the radar. · These robots lack sufficient/adequate vision processing systems Long term considerations outweigh the short term benefits For example, a wagonlike Lockheed Martin device that can carry more than 1,000 pounds of gear and automatically follow a platoon at up to 17 miles per hour is scheduled to be tested in Afghanistan early next year. For rougher terrain away from roads, engineers at Boston Dynamics are designing a walking robot to carry gear. Scheduled to be completed in 2012, it will carry 400 pounds as far as 20 miles, automatically following a

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