America Marine Forces Particular Operations Command (MARSOC) is at present evaluating a brand new technology of robotic “canine” developed by Ghost Robotics, with the potential to be geared up with gun techniques from protection tech firm Onyx Industries, studies The Warfare Zone.
Whereas MARSOC is testing Ghost Robotics’ quadrupedal unmanned floor automobiles (known as “Q-UGVs” for brief) for varied functions, together with reconnaissance and surveillance, it is the potential of arming them with weapons for distant engagement that will draw probably the most consideration. However it’s not unprecedented: The US Marine Corps has additionally examined robotic canine armed with rocket launchers up to now.
MARSOC is at present in possession of two armed Q-UGVs present process testing, as confirmed by Onyx Industries employees, and their gun techniques are based mostly on Onyx’s SENTRY distant weapon system (RWS), which options an AI-enabled digital imaging system and might mechanically detect and monitor individuals, drones, or automobiles, reporting potential targets to a distant human operator that might be situated wherever on this planet. The system maintains a human-in-the-loop management for fireplace selections, and it can not resolve to fireside autonomously.
On LinkedIn, Onyx Industries shared a video of the same system in motion.
In a press release to The Warfare Zone, MARSOC states that weaponized payloads are simply considered one of many use circumstances being evaluated. MARSOC additionally clarifies that feedback made by Onyx Industries to The Warfare Zone relating to the capabilities and deployment of those armed robotic canine “shouldn’t be construed as a functionality or a singular curiosity in considered one of many use circumstances throughout an analysis.” The command additional stresses that it’s conscious of and adheres to all Division of Protection insurance policies regarding autonomous weapons.
The rise of robotic unmanned floor automobiles
Alexander Atamanov
The analysis of armed robotic canine displays a rising curiosity in small robotic unmanned floor automobiles for army use. Whereas unmanned aerial automobiles (UAVs) have been remotely delivering deadly power beneath human command for not less than 20 years, the rise of cheap robotic quadrupeds—some accessible for as little as $1,600—has led to a brand new spherical of experimentation with strapping weapons to their backs.
In July 2022, a video of a rifle bolted to the again of a Unitree robodog went viral on social media, finally main Boston Robotics and different robotic distributors to concern a pledge that October to not weaponize their robots (with notable exceptions for army makes use of). In April, we lined a Unitree Go2 robotic canine, with a flame thrower strapped on its again, on sale to most people.
The prospect of deploying armed robotic canine, even with human oversight, raises important questions on the way forward for warfare and the potential dangers and moral implications of more and more autonomous weapons techniques. There’s additionally the potential for backlash if comparable distant weapons techniques finally find yourself used domestically by police. Such a priority wouldn’t be unfounded: In November 2022, we lined a call by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to permit the San Francisco Police Division to use deadly robots towards suspects.
There’s additionally concern that the techniques will turn into extra autonomous over time. As The Warfare Zone’s Howard Altman and Oliver Parken describe of their article, “Whereas additional particulars on MARSOC’s use of the gun-armed robotic canine stay restricted, the fielding of one of these functionality is probably going inevitable at this level. As AI-enabled drone autonomy turns into more and more weaponized, simply how lengthy a human will keep within the loop, even for kinetic acts, is more and more debatable, no matter assurances from some within the army and trade.”
Whereas the expertise continues to be within the early phases of testing and analysis, Q-UGVs do have the potential to supply reconnaissance and safety capabilities that cut back dangers to human personnel in hazardous environments. However as armed robotic techniques proceed to evolve, will probably be essential to handle moral considerations and be sure that their use aligns with established insurance policies and worldwide legislation.
