Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Boston Dynamics *really* does not want you to add weapons to its robots

  1. #1
    #DeSantis2024 Teh One Who Knocks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    5280' Above Sea Level
    Posts
    256,044
    vCash
    10966
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Thanks
    23,810
    Thanked 113,085 Times in 59,902 Posts

    Skynet Boston Dynamics *really* does not want you to add weapons to its robots

    BENJ EDWARDS - Ars Technica




    Boston Dynamics and several other robotics companies have pledged not to weaponize "general purpose robots" according to an open letter released publicly on Thursday and first reported by Axios. Although with sizable caveats in place, the letter focuses mostly on unauthorized public misuse of their products.

    In the letter, titled "General Purpose Robots Should Not Be Weaponized," six companies (Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Boston Dynamics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics, Unitree Robotics) spell out concerns about "risks of harm and serious ethical issues" from the weaponization of their general purpose products, fearing that it will "harm public trust in the technology."

    For their part, the robot manufacturers write, "We pledge that we will not weaponize our advanced-mobility general-purpose robots or the software we develop that enables advanced robotics and we will not support others to do so."

    It's been a high-profile year for improvised robotic weapons. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, news of makeshift bombers made of off-the-shelf DJI quadcopter drones and munitions have made the rounds on social media. And in July, a widely circulated hobbyist video of a Unitree dogbot with a gun strapped to its back stirred up fears of "dystopian nightmare" in the press. On YouTube, you can find several videos of people imitating the stunt in other scenarios.



    The open letter seems to indirectly address these recent media events, saying, "... we now feel renewed urgency in light of the increasing public concern in recent months caused by a small number of people who have visibly publicized their makeshift efforts to weaponize commercially available robots."

    The letter's specific focus on "advanced-mobility general-purpose robots" leaves room for interpretation regarding specialty robots designed for warfare or law enforcement, which the pledge does not cover. Instead, it primarily concerns public use of "widely available" robots, and calls for government regulation: "We call on policymakers to work with us to promote safe use of these robots and to prohibit their misuse."

    Boston Dynamics previously supplied robots to police forces for unarmed uses, causing a backlash in New York City last year, although the firm's contract with the New York Police Department prohibited using the Spot robot as a weapon. On this point, the letter carves out a sizable exception to its pledge: "To be clear, we are not taking issue with existing technologies that nations and their government agencies use to defend themselves and uphold their laws."

    You can read the full statement on the Boston Dynamics website.

  2. #2
    mr. michelle jenneke deebakes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    55,327
    vCash
    12000
    Mentioned
    7 Post(s)
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 19,022 Times in 11,474 Posts
    terrifying

  3. #3
    Basement Dweller Godfather's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Vancouver
    Posts
    16,820
    vCash
    13129
    Mentioned
    28 Post(s)
    Thanks
    4,305
    Thanked 6,770 Times in 4,009 Posts
    New company Doston Bynamics releases weaponized robots next week

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to Godfather For This Useful Post:

    PorkChopSandwiches (10-10-2022)

  5. #4
    Shelter Dweller lost in melb.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Down Under
    Posts
    23,764
    vCash
    7596
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Thanks
    18,672
    Thanked 7,553 Times in 5,206 Posts
    They will do what the military tell them to do!

  6. #5
    Shelter Dweller PorkChopSandwiches's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    77,135
    vCash
    5000
    Mentioned
    15 Post(s)
    Thanks
    47,197
    Thanked 29,254 Times in 16,488 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Godfather View Post
    New company Doston Bynamics releases weaponized robots next week
    Exactly my thought






Posting Permissions

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