Scientist warns of threat from killer robot weapons
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 14:21
Robots with power to kill could one day join troops in warfare, professor says
Science In Focus
Click here for top tips on making environmental practices work for your business, on inthenews.co.uk. Full Story
Robots could be used in the future to target people in the same way as suicide bombers, a leading robotics expert has warned.
Professor Noel Sharkey from the University of Sheffield said today that the world is beginning to see the first steps towards an international robot arms race.
In a speech at the Royal United Services Institute, the professor claimed that many nations are now involved in developing technology and warned that it may not be long before terrorists are able to make their own versions.
By October 2006 unmanned aircraft had flown 400,000 flight hours, but there is always a human making the decision on where to use lethal force.
This is set to change, Professor Sharkey warned, as the US has given priority to autonomous weapons - robots that can decide where, when and who to kill.
He said robot weapons programmes are underway in numerous countries including Canada, South Korea and South Africa as well as a number of European nations.
China, Russia and India are also embarking on the development of unmanned aerial combat vehicles.
Commenting on robot development, Professor Sharkey said: "The trouble is that we can't really put the genie back in the bottle. Once the new weapons are out there, they will be fairly easy to copy. How long is it going to be before the terrorists get in on the act?
"With the current prices of robot construction falling dramatically and the availability of ready-made components for the amateur market, it wouldn't require a lot of skill to make autonomous robot weapons."
He concludes that there is an "urgent need" for the international community to assess the risks of robots before they become widespread.