jamiroguy1 Posted December 2 Report Share Posted December 2 U.S. considers turning scooters into war robots (full article)NEW YORK — It's called the Segway Human Transporter, but the Pentagon is drafting the two-wheeled scooter as part of a plan to develop battlefield robots that think on their own and communicate with troops.The program is still in the research phase, so the self-balancing scooters aren't expected to report to boot camp anytime soon.So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls -- all without human control.Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.Dean Kamen, the Segway's inventor, says he had no qualms about enlisting his brainchild into the military."You build a car and it can either be used as an ambulance, or it can drive your troops around," he said. "My personal reason for liking (this program) is we would love to get more Segways at universities. The more we have our technology among the tech world, particularly the young geeks, it could only help us."Full Article***************************************************I find this a disturbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normalnoises Posted December 3 Report Share Posted December 3 Originally posted by jamiroguy1 U.S. considers turning scooters into war robots (full article)NEW YORK — It's called the Segway Human Transporter, but the Pentagon is drafting the two-wheeled scooter as part of a plan to develop battlefield robots that think on their own and communicate with troops.The program is still in the research phase, so the self-balancing scooters aren't expected to report to boot camp anytime soon.So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls -- all without human control.Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.Dean Kamen, the Segway's inventor, says he had no qualms about enlisting his brainchild into the military."You build a car and it can either be used as an ambulance, or it can drive your troops around," he said. "My personal reason for liking (this program) is we would love to get more Segways at universities. The more we have our technology among the tech world, particularly the young geeks, it could only help us."Full Article***************************************************I find this a disturbing. So do I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpoppanils Posted December 3 Report Share Posted December 3 begun the clone war has -bigpoppageek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksimons Posted December 3 Report Share Posted December 3 do they work on sand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.