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| A Quadrotor 600 Robot. |
However, now I've seen Quadrotors in action, I'm thinking this is the beginning of the end right here. As soon as someone figures out how to attach lasers to these little puppies it's all over!
Let's back up a little and take a look at these tiny but cute, fit in the palm of your hand, flying robots that can operate in swarms and destroy all life as we know it once somebody attaches lasers to them... it's going to happen... mark my words!!
These robots can operate autonomously, mapping their environment as they move. They don't even need to communicate with each other yet they can still work effectively as part of a team of robots. Their programming is based on the way ants work together to get things done.
One suggested use is to have swarms of these things running surveillance on rain forests, to detect illegal deforestation but, at some point, someone is going to say, "Let's cut out law enforcement and just attach lasers to our Quadrotors so they can turn criminals to toast on the spot". Then they really would be 'silent guardians of the rain forest', as a former student of the Quadrotor project has suggested.
From there it's a small step to robot bird Armageddon in an Alfred Hitchcock-like nightmare as internet connected floor cleaners command swarms of Quadrotors to do their bidding... it'll happen... and don't be surprised if those floor cleaners are being ruled by an Evil Feral Juicer plotting world domination!
The Quadrotors cute performance of the James Bond theme music might fool you into thinking they're harmless... however it's actually a signal of dissent to your internet connected fridge... I don't think your tinfoil hat will save you this time!
I thought I'd get a steam mop.
ReplyDeleteLook for a model that doesn't have lasers attached. Steam mops don't need lasers, no matter what anyone says!
DeleteActually your scenario is not far from the truth. There is talk that in my country the military is looking into these swarm robots for close-in air support for troops. Basically, each one would carry 3 missiles and they would deploy hundreds of them over an area before soldiers went into it.
ReplyDeleteThey would create a real time map of the area which the troops could use to plan attacks, and the robots would use their own AI to pick targets and attack without much monitoring by human programers. Even in some are shot down, there would be enough to close the gaps and the enemy would expose their position for the robots to attack.
Happy thoughts to ponder on while you try to sleep, eh?
I can't really visualize bigger versions of Quadrotors carrying 3 missiles and not being easy targets. Even with intelligent targeting systems on board, today's tech isn't sophisticated enough to tell the difference between civilians and soldiers... you'd need someone monitoring what they can see before deploying a missile.
DeleteMissiles armament seems unlikely to me. Too limited - and then someone's gotta spend hours reloading hundreds of bots. Definitely should wait until they can attach lasers. ;-)