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Battle Roomba Tractor

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the is-this-anime dept.

jazzstep writes "This article on MSNBC introduces an interesting new duo on the robotics front. iRobot and John Deere have teamed up to create a new battle-ready robot for the Pentagon."

10 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. I am so confused by erick99 · · Score: 5, Funny
    So, we are going to vacuum clean our enemies into submission?

    "All your dust bunnies are belong to us."

    Okay, works for me.

    --
    http://www.busyweather.com/
  2. I was hoping... by soulctcher · · Score: 5, Funny

    it would transform too! Room-bots, roll out!

  3. Maybe it's just me... by zanidor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Does the idea of putting artifical intelligence into a killing machine make anyone else a little nervous?

    1. Re:Maybe it's just me... by zanidor · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What I mean when I say that AI in a killing machine makes me nervous is that the idea of relegating the task of taking human life to a _machine_ seems like a bad idea. One reason it seems like a bad idea is that they could flip out and start killing everyone in some sort of sci-fi horror scenario. But, like you said, AI nowadays is probably fairly safe. What bothers me more is that there are so many _humanistic_ considerations that go into taking life. If we eventually reduce killing to a cold-blooded machine process, it just makes it easier to do. Think of how easy it will become for the United States to start a war when the soldiers don't feel so bad about wiping out any number of people. Maybe killing someone is emotionally difficult for a reason... Like I said, maybe it's just me.

  4. Battle Robots IN the Pentagon? by Ann+Coulter · · Score: 5, Funny

    "You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!"

    That's the obligatory response to any robot battles in the Pentagon.

  5. Makes sense.... by gfxguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    So the John Deere part chops the enemies up into little pieces, and the roomba part vacuums them up?

    --
    Stupid sexy Flanders.
  6. Picture a porch in country by Illserve · · Score: 5, Funny

    Two old farmers, one chewing a stalk of wheat.

    "Abe, you gettin some new equipment for the next harvest?"

    "Yep, I was gonna get me one of them Aytonomous Assault Vehicles to help in the south field."

    "the 312?"

    "nah, the 412, it's got the bailer attachment on the rear gun deck."

    "John Deer always did make good AAV's"

    "hell it'll get rid of the varmints too"

  7. The way of the future... by D-Cypell · · Score: 5, Funny
    The R-1000

    Features

    • Liquid Metal Construction.
    • Ability to morph into any simple object (no moving parts).
    • Can travel back in time to eliminate your enemies while they are small, deliquent boys.
    • 70% possibility of correctly detecting corners or stairs.
  8. Good Idea by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 5, Funny


    Apparently the DOD has put a high priority on frightening the enemy's pets.

    -B

  9. Re:Great for them by Leebert · · Score: 5, Insightful

    /me decides to wait for robotic appliances not produced by a company making military gear.

    Great idea.

    Don't forget to not use GPS.
    Oh, and don't forget that you can't get on a plane manufactured by Boeing. Or any airplane manufacturer...
    Or buy a Jeep (or any car, for that matter)...
    Or buy office furniture of any type (or even shop at Staples, Office Depot, etc.)...
    Or buy a computer from Dell, IBM, HP...

    Because Lord knows we can't support the evil corporations who sell things to willing customers with lots of money. How dare they!