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iRobot Demonstrates New Weaponized Robot

Posted by samzenpus on from the you-have-30-seconds-to-comply dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to this IEEE story, iRobot and the US military have released video showing a weaponized version of iRobot's Warrior robot. In the video, the Warrior is seen firing a weapon system called the APOBS (Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System), a grenade-filled line propelled by a rocket and stabilized by a drogue parachute. This system is used to clear minefields and obstructed roads. The video shows soldiers deploying a Warrior with the APOBS mounted on its back. The robot fires the device, which lands along a dirt road, exploding after a few seconds. A voice is then heard, 'Road clear; proceed forward.'"

12 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. Obvious questions... by TrisexualPuppy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How much does one unit cost, and is this actually scalable and affordable for nations where there are landmines? Most of these countries are third-world as the majority of landmines in first-world countries (e.g. Germany) was cleared years ago.

    1. Re:Obvious questions... by MartinSchou · · Score: 3, Interesting

      There's a continuing effort underway for mine clearing systems with an eye to small cost and high effectiveness and safety.

      Well, use prisoners sentenced for execution and animals (30+ kg) tagged to be destroyed. Each prisoner is given as many animals as (s)he wants, and if (s)he steps on a mine, we'll put him/her down with a bullet to the head.

      If they manage to clear a set number (say 100 mines), they're free to go.

  2. This will end well... by Brackney · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This older story comes to mind whenever I see a new article about military robots.

    http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2007/10/robot-cannon-ki/

  3. More Than Cows by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 5, Insightful

    These robots surely cost a lot more than running livestock across minefields to trigger the mines.

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    make install -not war

  4. Re:All hail the conquers! by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

    And speaking of military robots, am I the only one who's creeped out by Big Dog? Looks like some sort of unholy union between a deer and a spider..

    You can call it unholy if you want, but there was magic in the air that night. Who are you to judge true love?

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    The enemies of Democracy are
  5. Re:Manual by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Since they already have the weapon, but not the robot, I'm figuring they've tried the human-fired approach and found something wanting. I'm not certain, but seeing as how landmines are not exclusively used to deny territory to the enemy while nobody is watching it, but rather as an obstacle that slows and stops the enemy at conveniently chosen areas, and knowing some of the problems our soldiers have had over there... I'm guessing there's a good reason for robots, which can probably be summed up in two words:

    "Boom! Headshot!"

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    The enemies of Democracy are
  6. Re:Honest question by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The earliest live 'iRobot' trade mark was filed September 2002.

    There is one from Nov 1999 that is 'dead'. Both from MA, so I'm not sure if it's the same company.

    The iMac was released in 1998, the iBook in 1999.

  7. Re:Manual by OhPlz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I don't see why the robot is needed. A soldier could walk to where the known unmined area ends and fire this thingie.

    Perhaps it's clearing the way for a horde of other robots carrying anti-personnel weaponry? The military of the future may not need to put lives on the front-lines. I think we're seeing a glimpse of that with the air drones that are taking out terrorists via rockets.

  8. Gee... by umask077 · · Score: 4, Funny

    So I was happy with my Roomba and Scoomba. Now they have home defense products too. Wow. Do I have to buy the whole robot or can I just get the weapon mounts for my vacuum?

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    --- Always remember. 99.36% of all statistics are inaccurate.
  9. My cat was right by PPH · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It never did trust the Roomba.

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    Have gnu, will travel.
  10. Re:Humanity by couchslug · · Score: 3, Informative

    Exhale slowly and put down the glass pipe.

    The nations LAYING the mines are not the nations REMOVING the mines. One is not like the other.

    Side note:
    BTW, the US (whose mine use is not a problem, and since no one, anywhere, ever, gives a fuck about moral examples need not set one) doesn't buy-in to getting rid of its own mines because they are useful in slowing and channelizing an attack on the Korean peninsula.

    When most people were hallucinating Friendly Norks this was frowned on. Every now and then the Norks remind us they aren't friendly, and that if they DO wig out and crash across the DMZ we might ought to slow the process so we can kill enough of them to save South Korea.

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    "This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
  11. Re:Asimov by DaveV1.0 · · Score: 3, Informative

    This robot is not designed to harm humans. It is designed to clear obstacles and explosives from the path of humans. Also, this is not an autonomous robot, but rather a misnamed remotely controlled vehicle that is 100% under the control of human. The three laws would never be applied to this device.

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    There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.