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First Armed Robots on Patrol in Iraq
An anonymous reader writes "Robots have been roaming Iraq, since shortly after the war began. Now, for the first time — the first time in any war zone — the 'bots are carrying guns. The SWORDS robots, armed with M249 machine guns, "haven't fired their weapons yet," an Army official says. "But that'll be happening soon." The machines have actually been ready for a while, but safety concerns kept them off the battlefield. Now, the robots have kill switches, so "now we can kill the unit if it goes crazy," according to the Army. I feel safer already."
In this case, it might be better to call it a "do not kill" switch.
Ewige Blumenkraft.
only three of the robots are currently in Iraq.
Wow, that'll take care of business...
Evolution is a state-sponsored, state-protected religion.
Oh, please. I, Robot was pretty much a treatise on how stupid those laws are.
"You have 20 seconds to drop your gun"
:)
Iraqi drops gun.
"19... 18... 17..."
Sorry
Tsunami -- You can't bring a good wave down!
More importantly, where can i get one?
No-- more importantly, can it find Sarah Connor?
The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
The robots also have a bad habit of killing anyone that answers the door in the affirmative to the name "Sarah Connor"
These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
Depending on how much paperwork you're willing to sign, I know some people that would be happy to give you an opportunity to use a M249. There's a time commitment involved, though...
"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." -Albert Einstein
The project is considered a failure due to the mass number of cowardly robots forgetting to fire their weapons, instead shouting "NO DISSEMBLE!!!" in the hopes they aren't turned into scrap metal.
However, the project is eventually reborn by turning the bots into chefs for the real troops. One was heard talking to itself:
Number 5: Okay, to make these golden fluffy pancakes... add flour, milk and eggs... Mix thoroughly...
[uses his own motor to rotate the mixer - the bowl contents splatter all over the room]
Number 5: Ooooo... Still lumpy!
I don't think it's the army itself that defective I think it's the brass, politicians and the American people. America has become extremely risk averse in regards to American lives. The politicians thus won't touch anything that endangers people and the brass relay these sentiments. It might be because of better communication and media which makes casualties more then numbers, it might be a very big shift in the idea of duty vs cost of duty. It might be the frivolous nature of the wars America has gotten itself into lately. Vietnam was about ideology, Iraq is about economics and influence while the major wars previous WWI and WWII was about duty to your allies and stopping actual threats to your security and economy. Korea was about ideology as well so perhaps it is a shift of the people.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
Nuff Said.
-Adeptus
No trees were killed in the making of this post; however, many trillions of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.
... instead of suicide bombers they can use robot suicide bombers.
Why would they bother. Human life is much, much cheaper in that part of the world, and a robot would have a hard time sneaking through a security perimeter. Besides, there appears to be no shortage of those willing to immolate themselves on the altar of terrorism.
The real question, in my mind, is this: what would a robot do with all those virgins?
The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
"The real question, in my mind, is this: what would a robot do with all those virgins?"
I believe Japanese animators have already answered that question.
And a free, loaded M249 to the insurgent to disable the robot.
Kind of like Meals on Wheels. But with a gun. And for terrorists..
HAL: I don't like it. It's no fun going out on patrol and being ordered into an area to see if you draw any enemy fire. The human can be replaced.
*runs*
As a senior citizen, you're probably aware of the threat robots pose. Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel. Well, now there's a company that offers coverage against the unfortunate event of robot attack, with Old Glory Insurance. Old Glory will cover you with no health check-up or age consideration. You need to feel safe. And that's harder and harder to do nowadays, because robots may strike at any time.
And when they grab you with those metal claws, you can't break free.. because they're made of metal, and robots are strong. Now, for only $4 a month, you can achieve peace of mind in a world full of crime and robots, with Old Glory Insurance. So, don't cower under your afghan any longer. Make a choice.
Old Glory Insurance. For when the metal ones decide to come for you - and they will.
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
So you want to steal the new toy of a group of marines while they're watching? You've got nerves, man.
"It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton LaVey
Obligatory...
"Please put down your weapon. You have 20 seconds to comply."
"A country of MBAs does not a military make."
1) Strap explosives to MBA
2) Add a time-delay detonator triggered by the words: synergy, right-sizing, or consultant
3) Send MBA to a "conference" hosted by your enemy
4) ???
5) Profit!