Robots to fight in Iraq

[Jaymes]

US plans 'robot troops' for Iraq



The US military is planning to deploy robots armed with machine-guns to wage war against insurgents in Iraq. Eighteen of the 1m-high robots, equipped with cameras and operated by remote control, are going to Iraq this spring, the Associated Press reports.

The machine is based on a robot already used by the military to disable bombs.

Officials say the robot warrior is fast, accurate and will track and attack the enemy with relatively little risk to the lives of US soldiers.

Unlike its human counterparts, the armed robot does not require food, clothing, training, motivation or a pension.

(link to the rest of the article)


This just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[jewscout]

I'll go over there and lead an army of beautiful Adrian Barbeubots! With D-Cups full of justice!

 

[huajiro]

I love the idea....let's give the insurgents 18 robots as well. Robot wars will replace real ones....one rule, no robot can kill a human. Hey.....this is starting to sound like a movie.....yeah, we could have Will Smith star in it.

 

[Jaymes]

I really, really dislike the idea of our soldiers dying... but someone sitting and shooting from some room is almost just as bad. It's starting to look too much like a video game to me.

 

[huajiro]

I really, really dislike the idea of our soldiers dying... but someone sitting and shooting from some room is almost just as bad. It's starting to look too much like a video game to me.

If they had just robots....I think it would be great....people like me who are good at these video games could actually save the country.

 

[Jaymes]

That's assuming there's something in Iraq that we need to be saved from... But that's another topic for another thread.

I believe if someone's going to kill something, it should be up close and personal. That's why I don't like bombs. It turns from thousands of people you have to watch die in battle to thousands of people you fly over and press a button to get out of the way. If someone kills something, they should have to see it die and know they killed it.

 

[huajiro]

Let's all kill robots!!!

 

[Druidus]

This is highly disturbing...

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I think it's great. It'll save lives, period.

 

[Ceridwen018]

Aw come on guys--you're all sounding like a bunch of old people discussing the dangers of change. What's wrong with robots? If they keep humans from being killed, I think it's a great idea. Plus, war is enough like a video game these days as it is--this really seems to be where the future is taking us. Just as long as they don't all take us over like int the play, R.U.R, I don't see what the problem is.

 

[jewscout]

Let's all kill robots!!!

I knew it!...we can't trust the humans...they'll make us live on those robot reservations...and that'll really chap my cabboos.

But i don't know if i can take a thousand years frozen in carbanite...even as an Adrian Barbeubot.

 

[Jaymes]

Maybe I am sounding old. I just don't like the idea of anyone killing without it being up-close and personal. Saving lives is important, and they may well get individuals that know very well exactly what they are doing (soldiers that have already been in war, for example). It just seems too easy to abuse to me.

 

[huajiro]

I knew it!...we can't trust the humans...they'll make us live on those robot reservations...and that'll really chap my cabboos.

But i don't know if i can take a thousand years frozen in carbanite...even as an Adrian Barbeubot.

Such a vivid imagination!!

You and Soultype should create a game.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Jensa-- I agree with you in principle, but you have to remember: war was fought up close and personal for thousands of years, and it was equally brutal. I don't think fighting people face-to-face teaches them think twice about killing--in fact, I think it has the opposite effect.

 

[Jaymes]

That's true, Spinkles... oh well, it's probably better for me to be cautious and wrong than eager and wrong, eh?

 

[Mr Spinkles]

It might be better for you, but not for those in the military. While they sit there being "cautious and wrong" their men are being killed and maimed.

 

[t3gah]

Think back.

A long time ago there was this something where people on roller skates battled other people of other nations to decide over serious country disputes.

Rollerball. (movie. James Caan)

​

Robots.

One country sends their robots to combat/kill/recon people on the ground. The other nation, if they can afford them or have the technology, has their own 'killer'/'recon so we can kill you' robots. They also have 'hunter-killer' robots that do nothing but hunt and destroy other robots.

Robot Wars. (tv show. the guy from Red Dwarf is host (Lister))
​

Games.

Graphical video and computer games where real people in the case of virtual reality games or the games themselves are controlled by people who want to kill each other or destroy/incapacitate the robot machine they are using.

Tron. (movie. Bruce Boxleitner & Jeff Bridges)

​

Why did I mention Games? Because there are countries that have been proven to use them to train their soldiers for battle.

We live in a wonderful world. Just remember to look up for that robot thing or around the corner, etc.

They Live (movie. Roddy Piper & Keith David)
​

 

[Scuba Pete]

I think it's great. It'll save lives, period.

But only one side.

Think of England invading our country (as they did twice). Would you like them to send "robots" in to fight their insurgents? Irag is an OCCUPIED country... of course they are going to fight. The tighter we try to squeeze them the more they are going to wiggle. It's time to let go and BRING OUR TROOPS HOME! Then we can save lives on BOTH sides.

 

[No*s]

I think it's great. It'll save lives, period.

I agree wholeheartedly. I really wish we could rid ourselves of war, but I'm no utopian. This at least can decrease the lives lost. I read about it a while back on Slashdot, and I liked the invention then.

 

[Jaymes]

It might be better for you, but not for those in the military. While they sit there being "cautious and wrong" their men are being killed and maimed.

And they'll still be killed and maimed after the gun on wheels is deployed. There's no way it can replace every soldier.