Guidelines for autonomous killbots proposed
Suggestions in regard to robotic rights seem to be flying off the shelves these days, but an engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre has concocted an interesting set of guidelines catering to autonomous killbots of the future. Most likely, it's just a matter of time before machine-on-machine violence becomes commonplace, and John Canning's "Concept of Operations for Armed Autonomous Systems" outlines just how lethal robots should handle themselves when faced with potentially deadly conflicts. Interestingly, the document suggests the the bots should be allowed to make their own decisions when it comes to blasting or forgiving fellow robots, but before they pull the trigger on a human, it should request guidance from a flesh 'n blood friendly. Still, a definite loophole exists in the fact that these simple-minded killers could aim for a "human's weapon" without asking permission, and when his awful auto-aim programming leads to a costly casualty, it'll simply be deemed "collateral damage." Can't say we like the sound of that. [Warning: PDF read link][Via El Reg]
Filed under: Robots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ignacio @ Apr 14th 2007 12:51PM
Or... they could pull a Terminator and end up shooting everyone in the knees.
"Human Casualties: 0.0"
Max @ Apr 14th 2007 1:12PM
Hmm... or we could just defer to Asimov's three laws of robotics.
Alex @ Apr 14th 2007 3:05PM
Because that worked so well the first time...
Gil @ Apr 14th 2007 4:16PM
The whole point Asimov was trying to make is that you CAN'T put laws in place because there will always be:
a) a way around them
or
b) a need to bypass them
max @ Apr 14th 2007 6:01PM
I was joking :P
Ferny @ Apr 14th 2007 3:18PM
or what if that robot hacks itself?
Timguy12 @ Apr 14th 2007 8:58PM
Is that a Cyborg action figure?
ninja @ Apr 15th 2007 6:41AM
Skynet here we come!
Eric @ Apr 15th 2007 10:15AM
Just program them with a preset killing limit. Then all you have to do is send wave after wave of your own men up against them. Eventually they'll stop.
Thoth @ Apr 16th 2007 12:55PM
I think that is only acceptable in defense of Brannigan's Law.