War Machines: Recruiting Robots for Combat
Keenan
Posting #2
Topic: Technology/Science
Title: War Machines: Recruiting Robots for Combat
Publication: New York Times
Date of Publication: 11/27/10
Posting Length: 240 words
My article is about a new war machine that is being developed by marines called Mars. The article is written by John Markoff and describes the war machine and its functions. This all takes place in a fake town created by marines. The fort is Fort Benning, GA. This article was published on November 27, 2010 during an event called the Robot Rodeo. The Robot will not be put into use for another few years but still robot warfare is not as distant as it was a few years ago. The robot itself has a deadly design, it contains a camera for identifying hostiles, a assault rifle stock and firing mechanism, four grenade launchers and an antennae for distant control. This could revolutionize warfare and possibly create a concept of cheap warfare, where anyone can start a war without losing civilians or too much money. If America can utilize this technology, wars may start sooner between any countries.
In conclusion, it’s clear today that robots are being used for many new things. Five years ago, robots could be thought of for assembly lines and construction but not much else. Now robots can be vacuum cleaners, gutter cleaners or even pets. The military saw this as an opening for new weaponry that would not endanger lives. However if wars become cheap, and many countries can start them without causing damage to themselves, what will happen to the citizens of other countries?
This new weapon sounds dangerous but it may also be useful. If one were to be destroyed though, it would cost a lot.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be an absurd idea and hopefully it is many many years off. This would mean creating an AI that could tell the difference between ANY two people, and pick the one to shoot. Giving a machine the choice of life and death for a human being seems to be an ethical step back from modern warfare. Also, this would mean the robots would operate on closed circuits because any sort of transmitter could be intercepted and turned against us, which would also prove deadly. For all of our safeties, lets hope that this creation is far from realistic.
ReplyDeleteI believe that building these war machines would not contribute and in fact only hurt the attempts to create peace between nations. The creation of these war machines would serve to wage another cold war. Peace would be temporary and fear based, which could easily lead to massive conflicts that far outweigh the benefits that these robots bring.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that if these robots were developed they would be deadly. However, there are many ethical issues to think about as well. The robot could malfunction and kill someone of its own kind. Also, if the technology somehow got into the wrong hands it could be catastrophic. Lastly, there is no way at all that these robots could lead to peace, and would only anger other countries. I just do not see a way how these could be used in an ethical way.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is a very confusing and controversial situation and it is hard for their to be one right answer. This is because while it could help in many ways by saving lives it could also endanger many others lives, so which is more beneficial? I think it is hard to tell because it depends on the country itself and how angry and almost impulsive it really is. I also agree with Cameron though that giving a robot the decision between life and death is almost ridiculous, so many things could go wrong, and then who would be to blame? The situation goes from more black and white to almost gray.
ReplyDeletei have mixed feeling about this topic. on one hand, i don't like the idea of making new and more powerful machines for war. it just creats more trouble. on the other hand i am happy that they are finding ways to keep our troops safe by removing them from the battlefield, or keeping them from having to do the more dangerouse tasks.
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