Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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.'"

5 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

  2. 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?

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  3. 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!"

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  4. 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.

  5. 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?

    --
    --- Always remember. 99.36% of all statistics are inaccurate.