Automated killer robots 'threat to humanity': expert

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Increasingly autonomous, gun-totting robots developed for warfare could easily fall into the hands of terrorists and may one day unleash a robot arms race, a top expert on artificial intelligence told AFP.

"They pose a threat to humanity," said University of Sheffield professor Noel Sharkey ahead of a keynote address Wednesday before Britain's Royal United Services Institute.

Intelligent machines deployed on battlefields around the world -- from mobile grenade launchers to rocket-firing drones -- can already identify and lock onto targets without human help.

There are more than 4,000 US military robots on the ground in Iraq, as well as unmanned aircraft that have clocked hundreds of thousands of flight hours.

The first three armed combat robots fitted with large-caliber machine guns deployed to Iraq last summer, manufactured by US arms maker Foster-Miller, proved so successful that 80 more are on order, said Sharkey.

But up to now, a human hand has always been required to push the button or pull the trigger.

If we are not careful, he said, that could change.

Military leaders "are quite clear that they want autonomous robots as soon as possible, because they are more cost-effective and give a risk-free war," he said.

Several countries, led by the United States, have already invested heavily in robot warriors developed for use on the battlefield.

South Korea and Israel both deploy armed robot border guards, while China, India, Russia and Britain have all increased the use of military robots.

Washington plans to spend four billion dollars by 2010 on unmanned technology systems, with total spending expected rise to 24 billion, according to the Department of Defense's Unmanned Systems Roadmap 2007-2032, released in December.

James Canton, an expert on technology innovation and CEO of the Institute for Global Futures, predicts that deployment within a decade of detachments that will include 150 soldiers and 2,000 robots.

The use of such devices by terrorists should be a serious concern, said Sharkey.

Captured robots would not be difficult to reverse engineer, and could easily replace suicide bombers as the weapon-of-choice. "I don't know why that has not happened already," he said.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=08...;show_article=1

[Caladan 19]

Why it hasn't happened already? Did he read the previous bit about 24 billion in developing an unmanned technology system?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I guess the terrorists haven't captured Tony Stark yet...

[Otto 83]

[Scott & Lai 12]

So, how long till Skynet is online?

Edited February 27, 2008 by Scott & Lai

[almaty 19]

skynet is coming soon..as well as, the matrix.......

[mawilson 2,133]

Robots are expensive. Mujaheddin are a dime a dozen.

Islamic terrorists using robots for suicide missions is a ridiculous idea.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Are there 72 robot virgins waiting in paradise for each robot?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Are there 72 robot virgins waiting in paradise for each robot?

Thats why there shouldnt be concern.

[BJZags 17]

Are there 72 robot virgins waiting in paradise for each robot?

It's only 72 virigins? I had been told it was 99.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Are there 72 robot virgins waiting in paradise for each robot?

It's only 72 virigins? I had been told it was 99.

It's only 72, but that hasn't discouraged the homicide bombers.

[Risto 0]

Are there 72 robot virgins waiting in paradise for each robot?

It's only 72 virigins? I had been told it was 99.

It's only 72, but that hasn't discouraged the homicide bombers.

May be this will.

[dalegg 143]

Are there 72 robot virgins waiting in paradise for each robot?

They are waiting at http://www.kanojotoys.com/