The concept of machines being used in warfare is nothing new. Ever since the first siege tower was created, humanity has used its ingenuity to fuel its need for mutual destruction. From siege towers, through ballista’s and tanks all the way to unmanned drones, everything was a machine created to help them win battles. Now, with the introduction of AI and robots, it’s taking on a new face.
The British Army has recently launched what’s called “Project Thesus”, which aims to identify the best robot for the needs of the logistics team of the United Kingdom armed forces. Its main objective is to swiftly deliver any needed supplies without the need to risk any human lives. While this project is also looking into the usage of robots in direct combat, it’s main, more realistic goal is to create a machine capable of carrying large amounts of equipment quickly and undetected.
There are a couple of companies that put their projects forwards, with Horiba Mira UK, Marlborough Comms Ltd UK, and Rafael Israel winning the contracts to go through for further testing. It isn’t a wild assumption to think that in the near-by future we’ll see robots eagerly running across the battlefield to deliver ammunition to those, who need it the most.
I think the main idea is great but I hope robots don’t end up in direct combat because a vision of a robot if a machine gun is pretty scary.
This is such a controversial topic. The idea of having more forces for the military is great, but this also means that terrorist organizations could also have their hands on such a dangerous technology.
I think it really might get scary. Robots don’t have “mercy” or ethic of such. They might do stuff humans wouldn’t be capable of because of their 0 and 1 view of the world. Even if someone controls such robot it seems scary cause killing people might turn into a video game.
I think sadly this is the future of combat. When people will be capable of creating even more advanced robots the wars that we know right now can look very diffrent.