Manufacturers are sure that arming robots can harm people.
Six robot manufacturers, including the famous Boston Dynamics, said that they will not arm their robots or allow others to use them as weapons, reports Engadget with reference to the manufacturer's statement. It states that arming robots can “increase the risk of harm and raises ethical issues.”
In addition to Boston Dynamics, the agreement was signed by Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics and Unitree Robotics.
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“We believe that adding weapons to robots that are remotely or autonomously controlled, widely available to the public, and capable of moving into previously inaccessible places where people live and work creates new risks of harm and serious ethical issues. The use of these new robots as weapons will also damage public trust in the technology, undermining the enormous benefits they will bring to society,” the group said in a statement.
The group also noted “growing concern about claims by some individuals that publicized their efforts to weaponize commercially available robots.” Such cases include, for example, the armed Spot from Ghost Robotics or the use of the EOD bomb disposal robot by the Dallas police as an improvised explosive device.
In this regard, the group of companies said that it “commits not to use for military purposes its general-purpose robots with increased mobility and the software under development” and not to support others to do so. In addition, the companies commit to not allowing their customers to use robots for military purposes.
“We also commit to exploring the possibility of developing technological features that could mitigate or reduce these risks,” it says. in the application. At the same time, the companies note that they “do not challenge the existing technologies that countries and their government agencies use to protect and support within the framework of laws.”
The companies called on politicians, as well as the rest of the robotics development community, to make similar commitments. knitting.
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