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Marines Test Fire Robot Dog Armed With Rocket Launcher
(www.thedrive.com)
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this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2023
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Technology@stad
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I mean it sounds to me like you guys are saying that since its not BD strapping the guns themselves we should accept it?
I don’t get why people are being assholes about this I’m genuinely trying to understand your viewpoints and nobody wants to explain just call me an idiot.
Should we stop selling computers because people use them to hack and attack people and businesses? Should we abandon AR because they are trying to adapt it for military use?
I’m not saying anything like that.
I’m saying strapping rockets to robots is not what we should be doing.
Of course it isn't. Nobody is arguing that. People do stupid, horrible, and hateful things. However, that will be the case with or without robots.
So, for example, there's this thing that gets used by African warlords a lot called a "technical." There are different versions of it, but the most popular configuration is a Toyota pickup truck with a large machine gun mounted in the bed. You've probably seen it if you follow world news. They are very effective tools for warlords to oppress local populations because they can carry a lot of dudes, lay down fire, and they're really mobile. It's kind of the perfect tool for the job.
Now, Toyota didn't sell the truck with this purpose in mind and almost certainly doesn't condone it. Think about it though. Is Toyota responsible for this? Should they stop selling their pick ups because of it? I say no, but your milageay vary. Especially if you drive a 2005 Toyota Tacoma; 21 city / 27 highway.
The difference is Toyota doesn’t have a contract with African Warlords to buy fleets of Hilux’s.
You see how there is a difference in these two things?
No, I'm sorry, I don't understand. Can you explain it another way?
By having a contract in place where they are supplying the platforms that are used to be weaponized they are part of the production line for them. By knowingly doing this they shouldn’t get a pass with a sly wink and playing dumb.
In your analogy Toyota can’t even really stop it. It’s a mass marketed civilian vehicle that is probably stolen and shoddily retrofitted. That’s not the same thing as Toyota handing a cargo ship of trucks over to warlords and saying, “You behave now.” knowing full well they are gonna mount .50s to the crossbar. That’s what is happening with Boston Dynamics still selling these.
What do you know, I still don't get it 🤷♂️