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Boston Dynamics robot spot (here as a prototype from 2015): Technology that interests police authorities and the military
Photo: Eric Keenan/ dpa
Several well-known robot manufacturers, including Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics, have publicly argued that "general-purpose robots" should not be armed.
As reported by the "Axios" portal, they wrote an open letter aimed at the robotics industry, but also at politics.
"As happens with any new technology that offers new possibilities, the advent of advanced mobile robots also harbors the possibility of abuse," the joint letter reads.
"Dubious persons" could use the robots to violate civil rights or to threaten, hurt or intimidate others.
A "particularly worrying area" is the armament.
The issue raises "new risks and serious ethical questions," write the companies.
Arming commercially available robots will also shake public confidence in the technology, they fear.
That diminishes the "enormous benefits" that such robots would bring to society.
A call to other manufacturers as well
For all these reasons, it is said in summary, the companies refused to arm their all-purpose robots.
Together they pledge that they will not weaponize their own robots or robotics software they develop, nor will they assist others to do so.
“If possible” they will examine what customers want to use their technology for.
At the same time, the companies emphasize: “We are not challenging the existing technologies that nations and their government agencies use to defend themselves and to enforce their laws.”
According to the six companies, political decision-makers are called on to work together "to promote the safe use of these robots and to prohibit their misuse".
We also appeal to all organizations, developers, researchers and users in the robotics community to make commitments similar to our own.
In addition to Boston Dynamics, the letter was signed by Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics and Unitree Robotics.
Boston Dynamics is the best-known of these companies, and its videos of running or dancing robots have been viral hits on the web for years.
A robot as well known as a sore thumb
Among other things, the US company sells a four-legged and walking robot called Spot, which is reminiscent of a dog and has already been tested by various police authorities.
A spot is usually controlled by a human using a tablet controller.
However, the Boston Dynamics machine also offers functions that allow it to move independently in certain environments.
However, it is questionable how well manufacturers can control what exactly their robots are used for after the sale.
In 2021, for example, the performance of an artist who equipped a spot with a paintball gun made headlines.
Boston Dynamics quickly distanced itself from the live streamed action, but was unable to prevent it.
Photos and clips of robots from other companies that resemble the spot and that were apparently equipped with real weapons are also circulating on the internet.
Some companies deliberately market the constructions as military robots.
In some cases, however, general-purpose robots were simply modified by their owners themselves - as here in a case that apparently takes place in Russia, or here in an experiment by an Australian YouTuber.
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