Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
SWORDS Robots Pulled From Iraq For Bad Behavior
Three armed robots were sent to Iraq last year; however, these remote-operated units were pulled almost immediately. The SWORDS units (Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection Systems), which are modified Talon robots in use for at least four years, were removed before firing a shot.
(SWORDS robot)
At a recent conference, Army’s Program Executive Officer for Ground Forces, Kevin Fahey, was asked what happened to SWORDS. According to Fahey, "the gun started moving when it was not intended to move," and the plug was pulled on the program.
Apparently, the military preferred to avoid the situation depicted in the 1987 movie Robocop, in which the enforcement droid ED-209 malfunctions during a demonstration and shoots some of the participants.
(ED-209 enforcement droid from Robocop)
The most likely successor to the SWORDS robot is the MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) which moves faster, has a more powerful weapon, higher torque and enhanced safety features.
MAARS incorporates "fire" and "no fire" zones in its battlefield map and cannot target allied military posts or its own control unit.
(MAARS Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System robot)
17-Apr-2008 Update: Popular Mechanics wrote a long and unclear article to clarify their earlier story - take a look at link End update.
From Non-Answer on Armed Robot Pullout From Iraq Reveals Fragile Bot Industry via Robot Pulls Gun On US Troops and MAARS battlefield robot.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 4/13/2008)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 2 )
Related News Stories - (" Weapon ")
Man Builds 200 Foot Basement Firing Range
'The basement was huge... carved deep into the rock.' - Clifford Simak, 1963.
Russians Create Robot Tank Platoons
'The remotely-operated robot tank is an old idea...'
Unmanned Boats Attack At Sea
'The autofreighter smashed into the boat...'
Iron Drone Raider Counter-UAV Operations
'You've got an aggressive machine up in the air now.' - Robert Sheckley, 1953.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Proof Of Robothood - Not A Person
'Who are you people? - Show 'em.'
Dancing Robots Taught Dance Moves
'A clockwork figure would be the thing for you...'
Indonesian Clans Battle
'The observation vehicle was of that peculiar variety used in conveying a large number of people across rough terrain.'
The 'Last Mile' In China Crowded With Delivery Robots
Yes, it's a delivery robot. On wheels.
Tornyol Microdrone Kills Mosquitoes
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.'
PLATO Spacecraft, Hunter Of Habitable Planets, Now Ready
'I ... set my automatic astronomical instruments to searching for a habitable planet.'
Factory Humanoid Robots Built By Humanoid Robots
'...haven't you a section of the factory where only robot labor is employed?'
iPhone Air Fulfils Jobs' Promise From 2007 - A Giant Screen!
'... oblongs were all over the floor and surfaces.'
ChatGPT Now Participates in Group Chats
'...the city was their laboratory in human psychology.'
iPhone Pocket All Sold Out!
'A long, strong, slender net...'
Did The Yautja Have These First?
What a marvel of ingenuity the little device was!
Jetson ONE Air Races Begin, Can Air Polo Be Far Behind?
'If you're one of those rarities who haven't attended a rocket-polo "carnage", let me tell you it's a colorful affair.'
Will Space Stations Have Large Interior Spaces Again?
'They filed clumsily into the battleroom, like children in a swimming pool for the first time, clinging to the handholds along the side.'
Mornine Sales Robot
'Robot-salesmen were everywhere, gesturing...'
Bipedal Robot Floats Gently While Walking
'a walking balloon proceeded with long strides of its aluminum legs...'
Musk Idea Of Cars Talking To Each Other Predicted 70 Years Ago
'My cars talk to one another.'
