A defensive array cannot consist of mere barriers (fences, channels etc). Rather, these should be aranged so that they impede the enemy's movement and channel them into controlled zones where the defender has superiority. A fence is worthless unless it has someone watching it. The issue, therefor, is manpower. Keeping units simply for the sake of guarding borders is damaging to a military's combat readiness and to the nation's economy. I have not read the article but it seems there is no mention of the robots' autonomy. Being able to track and target automatically is one thing, giving the machine the burden of decision making is another. I would imagine that the machine, upon identifying a possible threat, would alert an operator which would then assume control over its fire systems, keeping the ultimate decision making in human hands.
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A defensive array cannot consist of mere barriers (fences, channels etc). Rather, these should be aranged so that they impede the enemy's movement and channel them into controlled zones where the defender has superiority. A fence is worthless unless it has someone watching it. The issue, therefor, is manpower. Keeping units simply for the sake of guarding borders is damaging to a military's combat readiness and to the nation's economy.
I have not read the article but it seems there is no mention of the robots' autonomy. Being able to track and target automatically is one thing, giving the machine the burden of decision making is another. I would imagine that the machine, upon identifying a possible threat, would alert an operator which would then assume control over its fire systems, keeping the ultimate decision making in human hands.
With a budget of 240,000 NIS it's a small step but one in the right direction. http://www.maor.gov.il/english/open_office.asp