Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: They’re putting guns on robot dogs now

  1. #1
    Administrator Aragorn's Avatar
    Join Date
    17th March 2015
    Location
    Middle-Earth
    Posts
    20,239
    Thanks
    88,435
    Thanked 80,968 Times in 20,254 Posts

    Thumbs Down They’re putting guns on robot dogs now

    I'm not sure about the size of that thing, but judging by the width of the magazine, it looks like a .50 BMG, i.e. 12.7 x 99 mm NATO. That's considered anti-tank ammunition over here. A single such bullet can penetrate 4 cm of steel armor plating and cut a grown man in half at over 1'000 meters away.

    So much for Isaac Asimov's Three Laws Of Robotics...





    Source: THE VERGE


    It was only a matter of time


    THE US MILITARY HAS STARTED TESTING ROBOT DOGS ON PATROL DUTY




    It’s not clear if this gun-equipped quadrupedal robot is for sale, but it’s only a matter of time.


    Quadrupedal robots are one of the most interesting developments in robotics in recent years. They’re small, nimble, and able to traverse environments that frustrate wheeled machines. So, of course, it was only a matter of time until someone put a gun on one.

    The image above shows a quadrupedal robot — a Vision 60 unit built by US firm Ghost Robotics — that’s been equipped with a custom gun by small-arms specialists Sword International. It seems the gun itself (dubbed the SPUR or “special purpose unmanned rifle”) is designed to be fitted onto a variety of robotic platforms. It has a 30x optical zoom, thermal camera for targeting in the dark, and an effective range of 1,200 meters.

    What’s not clear is whether or not Sword International or Ghost Robotics are currently selling this combination of gun and robot. But if they’re not, it seems they will be soon. As the marketing copy on Sword’s website boasts: “The SWORD Defense Systems SPUR is the future of unmanned weapon systems, and that future is now.”




    The robot base is built by Ghost Robotics, and carries a specially-designed gun built by Sword International.


    The machine was shown off for the first time at the Association of the United States Army’s 2021 annual conference earlier this week. The conferences bills itself as a “landpower exposition and professional development forum” held in Washington DC, October 11-13.

    Details about the partnership between Ghost and Sword are unclear, but Ghost’s quadrupedal robots are already being tested by the US military. Last year, the 325th Security Forces Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida became the first unit in the Department of Defense to use quadrupedal robots in regular operations. It uses them to patrol the base’s perimeter, navigating swampy areas that “aren’t desirable for human beings and vehicles,” according to an interview with Ghost Robotics CEO Jiren Parikh.

    Although reconnaissance is one of the most obvious use-cases for robot dogs, manufacturers are slowly experimenting with other payloads. As well as providing remote video and mapping, the machines could be used as mobile cell towers, to defuse bombs, or to detect chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear matter (otherwise known as CBRN).

    And, of course, they can become weapons themselves.




    Unlike the better-known Boston Dynamics, Ghost Robotics seems eager to find military customers for its quadrupedal machines.


    Boston Dynamics, the best-known manufacturer of quadrupedal robots and makers of Spot, has a strict policy agains weaponizing its machines. Other manufacturers, it seems, aren’t so picky. After all, plenty of companies already sell uncrewed gun platforms that use tank treads or wheels, so adding the same basic kit to legged machines isn’t much of a stretch.

    The bigger question is how these robots will be deployed in the future and what level of oversight will be required when they start firing lethal rounds at humans.

    For a while now, experts have been warning about the slow rise in the use of “killer robots” (known as lethal autonomous weapon systems, or LAWS, in official jargon), and official US policy does not prohibit their development or deployment. Many groups are campaigning for a preemptive ban on such systems, but, in the meantime, it seems companies will continue to build what is possible. And that means putting guns on robot dogs.


    Source: THE VERGE
    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

  2. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Aragorn For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), donk (20th October 2021), Dreamtimer (18th October 2021), Emil El Zapato (16th October 2021), modwiz (5th December 2022), Wind (15th October 2021)

  3. #2
    Super Moderator Wind's Avatar
    Join Date
    16th January 2015
    Location
    Just here
    Posts
    7,206
    Thanks
    33,712
    Thanked 27,303 Times in 7,219 Posts
    I suppose this is where it starts... Shit.

  4. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Wind For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (16th October 2021), donk (20th October 2021), Dreamtimer (18th October 2021), Emil El Zapato (16th October 2021), modwiz (5th December 2022)

  5. #3
    Retired Member
    Join Date
    14th October 2019
    Location
    Ronin
    Posts
    441
    Thanks
    972
    Thanked 1,904 Times in 446 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by Aragorn View Post
    I'm not sure about the size of that thing, but judging by the width of the magazine, it looks like a .50 BMG, i.e. 12.7 x 99 mm NATO. That's considered anti-tank ammunition over here. A single such bullet can penetrate 4 cm of steel armor plating and cut a grown man in half at over 1'000 meters away.

    So much for Isaac Asimov's Three Laws Of Robotics...





    Source: THE VERGE


    It was only a matter of time


    THE US MILITARY HAS STARTED TESTING ROBOT DOGS ON PATROL DUTY




    It’s not clear if this gun-equipped quadrupedal robot is for sale, but it’s only a matter of time.


    Quadrupedal robots are one of the most interesting developments in robotics in recent years. They’re small, nimble, and able to traverse environments that frustrate wheeled machines. So, of course, it was only a matter of time until someone put a gun on one.

    The image above shows a quadrupedal robot — a Vision 60 unit built by US firm Ghost Robotics — that’s been equipped with a custom gun by small-arms specialists Sword International. It seems the gun itself (dubbed the SPUR or “special purpose unmanned rifle”) is designed to be fitted onto a variety of robotic platforms. It has a 30x optical zoom, thermal camera for targeting in the dark, and an effective range of 1,200 meters.

    What’s not clear is whether or not Sword International or Ghost Robotics are currently selling this combination of gun and robot. But if they’re not, it seems they will be soon. As the marketing copy on Sword’s website boasts: “The SWORD Defense Systems SPUR is the future of unmanned weapon systems, and that future is now.”




    The robot base is built by Ghost Robotics, and carries a specially-designed gun built by Sword International.


    The machine was shown off for the first time at the Association of the United States Army’s 2021 annual conference earlier this week. The conferences bills itself as a “landpower exposition and professional development forum” held in Washington DC, October 11-13.

    Details about the partnership between Ghost and Sword are unclear, but Ghost’s quadrupedal robots are already being tested by the US military. Last year, the 325th Security Forces Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida became the first unit in the Department of Defense to use quadrupedal robots in regular operations. It uses them to patrol the base’s perimeter, navigating swampy areas that “aren’t desirable for human beings and vehicles,” according to an interview with Ghost Robotics CEO Jiren Parikh.

    Although reconnaissance is one of the most obvious use-cases for robot dogs, manufacturers are slowly experimenting with other payloads. As well as providing remote video and mapping, the machines could be used as mobile cell towers, to defuse bombs, or to detect chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear matter (otherwise known as CBRN).

    And, of course, they can become weapons themselves.




    Unlike the better-known Boston Dynamics, Ghost Robotics seems eager to find military customers for its quadrupedal machines.


    Boston Dynamics, the best-known manufacturer of quadrupedal robots and makers of Spot, has a strict policy agains weaponizing its machines. Other manufacturers, it seems, aren’t so picky. After all, plenty of companies already sell uncrewed gun platforms that use tank treads or wheels, so adding the same basic kit to legged machines isn’t much of a stretch.

    The bigger question is how these robots will be deployed in the future and what level of oversight will be required when they start firing lethal rounds at humans.

    For a while now, experts have been warning about the slow rise in the use of “killer robots” (known as lethal autonomous weapon systems, or LAWS, in official jargon), and official US policy does not prohibit their development or deployment. Many groups are campaigning for a preemptive ban on such systems, but, in the meantime, it seems companies will continue to build what is possible. And that means putting guns on robot dogs.


    Source: THE VERGE
    Actually For all their purposes "They are putting robots in the guns".. If you know what i mean...

    The guns were already out there for the same purpose very long ago. The 'mechanical robots' are the new thing... They just switched from expendable 'high cost' humans robots to more serviceable mechanical ones :P

    'Robots don't complain about their rights, or have to go home at the end of the day'

  6. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Malisa For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (18th October 2021), Dreamtimer (18th October 2021), Emil El Zapato (18th October 2021), Wind (21st October 2021)

  7. #4
    Senior Member donk's Avatar
    Join Date
    26th December 2013
    Posts
    1,262
    Thanks
    2,045
    Thanked 6,020 Times in 1,226 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    I suppose this is where it starts... Shit.
    It started in the air a couple decades ago, ask anyone from a country my great empire has “liberated”, this is just bringing it down to ground level…good times.

    Smells like freedom, brother
    What is the purpose of your presence?

  8. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to donk For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (21st October 2021), Dreamtimer (21st October 2021), Emil El Zapato (20th October 2021), Wind (21st October 2021)

  9. #5
    Senior Member Emil El Zapato's Avatar
    Join Date
    3rd April 2017
    Location
    Earth I
    Posts
    12,191
    Thanks
    36,640
    Thanked 43,100 Times in 11,915 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by donk View Post
    It started in the air a couple decades ago, ask anyone from a country my great empire has “liberated”, this is just bringing it down to ground level…good times.

    Smells like freedom, brother ������������ ������������ ������������
    I know you are big time antiwar donk, but you gotta have faith that the good guys will figure out a way to become human in a non-evolved subhuman world. Many years ago a Roman Catholic Pope made the statement that as humans we should know how to overcome our animal natures and we do, but the caveat is that many of us don't really care to, "these" thrive from the center of our animal minds and emotions. It is struggle even for those with a spiritual awareness, those that don't for whatever reason have that spark, choice or nature, are perpetuating a struggle that keeps us locked in place. Faith ... surely the time will come.
    “El revolucionario: te meteré la bota en el culo"

  10. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Emil El Zapato For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Dreamtimer (21st October 2021), Wind (21st October 2021)

  11. #6
    Retired Member United States
    Join Date
    7th April 2015
    Location
    Patapsco Valley
    Posts
    14,610
    Thanks
    70,673
    Thanked 62,025 Times in 14,520 Posts
    Beau talks about how he's not worried by the hypersonic missile but is very worried about the robot dogs. (see 5:18) And for good reasons it seems.

    "Prepare for Cold War style coverage and atmosphere."


  12. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dreamtimer For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (21st October 2021), Emil El Zapato (21st October 2021)

  13. #7
    Super Moderator Wind's Avatar
    Join Date
    16th January 2015
    Location
    Just here
    Posts
    7,206
    Thanks
    33,712
    Thanked 27,303 Times in 7,219 Posts
    You can already buy these kind of robot dogs and they costs thousands of dollars or euros.

    Also San Francisco police can now use robots to kill. Technology is a tool and how are they used?


    Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vR-38NcHtM
    "The more I see, the less I know for sure." ~ John Lennon

  14. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Wind For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (5th December 2022), modwiz (5th December 2022)

  15. #8
    Senior Member Morocco modwiz's Avatar
    Join Date
    13th September 2013
    Location
    Nestled in Appalachia
    Posts
    6,720
    Thanks
    40,125
    Thanked 41,242 Times in 6,698 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by Wind View Post
    You can already buy these kind of robot dogs and they costs thousands of dollars or euros.

    Also San Francisco police can now use robots to kill. Technology is a tool and how are they used?


    Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vR-38NcHtM
    These are for cities and towns.

    They would be amusing target practice in rural America.
    "To learn who rules over you simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize" -- Voltaire

    "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."-- Eleanor Roosevelt

    "Misery loves company. Wisdom has to look for it." -- Anonymous

  16. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to modwiz For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (5th December 2022), Wind (6th December 2022)

  17. #9
    Senior Member Catsquotl's Avatar
    Join Date
    27th April 2014
    Posts
    1,417
    Thanks
    2,255
    Thanked 7,564 Times in 1,372 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by modwiz View Post
    These are for cities and towns.

    They would be amusing target practice in rural America.
    You Jest, Surely.

    No rural american would pay 1000nds for target practice.
    A self indulgent righteous social media star might.

    But then, what do I know.
    Have a great day today

  18. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Catsquotl For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (6th December 2022), modwiz (6th December 2022), Wind (6th December 2022)

  19. #10
    Senior Member Morocco modwiz's Avatar
    Join Date
    13th September 2013
    Location
    Nestled in Appalachia
    Posts
    6,720
    Thanks
    40,125
    Thanked 41,242 Times in 6,698 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by Catsquotl View Post
    You Jest, Surely.

    No rural american would pay 1000nds for target practice.
    A self indulgent righteous social media star might.

    But then, what do I know.
    Humor dies again.
    "To learn who rules over you simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize" -- Voltaire

    "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."-- Eleanor Roosevelt

    "Misery loves company. Wisdom has to look for it." -- Anonymous

  20. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to modwiz For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), Aragorn (6th December 2022), Wind (6th December 2022)

  21. #11
    Administrator Aragorn's Avatar
    Join Date
    17th March 2015
    Location
    Middle-Earth
    Posts
    20,239
    Thanks
    88,435
    Thanked 80,968 Times in 20,254 Posts
    Quote Originally posted by modwiz View Post
    Humor dies again.
    Let's bury it right next to the English language, given that they seem to have died within a short time of each other.
    = DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR =

  22. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Aragorn For This Useful Post:

    Aianawa (6th December 2022), modwiz (6th December 2022), Wind (6th December 2022)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •