As robots from Boston Dynamics and the like proceed to search out extra widespread functions, considerations are rising round their misuse. In a bid to forestall the unfold of killer robots in society, a gaggle of robotics firms have printed an open letter pledging to not weaponize their machines, and pleading with customers to do the identical.
The concept that autonomous machines might be weaponized and deployed to trigger hurt will not be new, however as our entry to extremely succesful robots continues to enhance we’ve got seen these considerations raised in a extra mainstream sphere. We’ve seen leaders in AI and robotics petition the UN to ban the event of these kind of machines, and these actions proceed to realize momentum as extra firms and organizations lend their title to the trigger.
In October final yr, Ghost Robotics confirmed off a robotic canine with a sniper rifle mounted on its again. One other video doing the rounds on social media earlier this yr confirmed a quadruped robotic carrying an assault rifle and firing at targets on the vary. Questions stay over the veracity of that second instance, however the level stays: imaginative and prescient of robotic canine mixed with lethal weapons is an unnerving glimpse into the long run.
Boston Dynamics, along with Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Boston Dynamics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics and Unitree Robotics, have at present voiced their considerations round these potentialities. In an open letter addressed to the trade, the group notes the rising affordability and accessibility of superior commercially accessible robots, and the rising potential for his or her misuse.
“Untrustworthy individuals may use them to invade civil rights or to threaten, hurt, or intimidate others,” the letter reads. “One space of specific concern is weaponization. We imagine that including weapons to robots which can be remotely or autonomously operated, broadly accessible to the general public, and able to navigating to beforehand inaccessible places the place individuals dwell and work, raises new dangers of hurt and critical moral points.”
The letter goes on to incorporate a pledge from the group to not weaponize their robots, nor help others to take action, and calls on policy-makers and customers to advertise their secure use. It additionally features a plan to diligently assess their clients’ intentions for his or her merchandise and work on technological options to cut back the dangers of robotic weaponization.
“We’re satisfied that the advantages for humanity of those applied sciences strongly outweigh the chance of misuse, and we’re excited a few vibrant future through which people and robots work aspect by aspect to sort out among the world’s challenges,” the letter concludes.
Supply: Boston Dynamics
