United Nations to Debate ‘Non-Existent’ Killer Robots

A killer robot is a fully autonomous weapon that can select and engage targets without any human intervention. The United Nations insist they do not currently exist, but that advances in technology are bringing them closer to reality.

This of course is total crap:

• New report highlights ethics and policy dangers of ‘military human enhancements’
• DARPA’s Creepiest Research Projects to control the future
• Humans Lose, Robots Win in New Defense Budget
• PETMAN: The Pentagon’s creepy humanoid robot gets clothed for new video
• Shoot to Kill: Autonomous Robots eveloped By DARPA Will Not Question Orders

I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Further proof that these robots already exist, even if they aren’t yet in everyday use comes from the contradictory article in The Independent:

Fully autonomous weapons have not yet been developed, but technological advances are bringing them closer to existing.

The same article actually has six photographs of these robots developed by Boston Dynamics.

You can see the rest of the pictures here.

Those in favor of killer robots believe the current laws of war may be sufficient to address any problems that might emerge if they are ever deployed, arguing that a moratorium, not an outright ban, should be called if this is not the case.

However, those who oppose their use believe they are a threat to humanity and any autonomous “kill functions” should be banned.

What the United Nations will decide is any ones guess, but regardless of the decision they come to, the development of robots for police and military use will continue.

For those still in doubt about the existence of these machines…