Posts Tagged: Dynamics’

Boston Dynamics and other industry heavyweights pledge not to build war robots

The days of Spot being leveraged as a weapons platform and training alongside special forces operators are already coming to an end; Atlas as a back-flipping soldier of fortune will never come to pass. Their maker, Boston Dynamics, along with five other industry leaders announced on Thursday that they will not pursue, or allow, the weaponization of their robots, according to a non-binding, open letter they all signed.

Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics and Unitree Robotics all joined Boston Dynamics in the agreement. "We believe that adding weapons to robots that are remotely or autonomously operated, widely available to the public, and capable of navigating to previously inaccessible locations where people live and work, raises new risks of harm and serious ethical issues," the group wrote. "Weaponized applications of these newly-capable robots will also harm public trust in the technology in ways that damage the tremendous benefits they will bring to society." 

The group cites "the increasing public concern in recent months caused by a small number of people who have visibly publicized their makeshift efforts to weaponize commercially available robots," such as the armed Spot from Ghost Robotics, or the Dallas PD's use of an EOD bomb disposal robot as an IED as to why they felt the need to take this stand. 

To that end, the industry group pledges to "not weaponize our advanced-mobility general-purpose robots or the software we develop that enables advanced robotics and we will not support others to do so." Nor will they allow their customers to subsequently weaponize any platforms they were sold, when possible. That's a big caveat given the long and storied history of such weapons as the Toyota Technical, former Hilux pickups converted into DIY war machines that have been a mainstay in asymmetric conflicts since the '80s.    

"We also pledge to explore the development of technological features that could mitigate or reduce these risks," the group continued, but "to be clear, we are not taking issue with existing technologies that nations and their government agencies use to defend themselves and uphold their laws." They also call on policymakers as well as the rest of the robotics development community to take up similar pledges. 

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Hyundai confirms its $1.1 billion acquisition of Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics is now officially part of Hyundai Motor Group. The Korean conglomerate has struck a deal with Softbank to acquire a controlling interest — an 80 percent stake — in the robotics company for $ 1.1 billion. Softbank will retain a 20 perce…
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We hope you weren't planning on sleeping tonight. Boston Dynamics has posted a video showing that its SpotMini robot can hold the door open for its fellow automatons. If one bot needs a helping hand, it'll signal to another machine nearby that can…
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Meet Boston Dynamics’ eclectic lineup of innovative (and peculiar) robots

Boston Dynamics has become famous thanks to videos of its eclectic, animal-like robots. It’s made so many robots over the years that it’s hard to keep them all straight. Here’s our roundup of Boston Dynamics’ memorable creations.

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Watch these robotic ‘reindeer’ from Boston Dynamics pull Santa’s sleigh

In a rather frightening video, Google-owned robotics design firm Boston Dynamics has shown us the future of Christmas, and it’s plenty progressive, complete with machines and female Santas.

The post Watch these robotic 'reindeer' from Boston Dynamics pull Santa's sleigh appeared first on Digital Trends.

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Boston Dynamics’ robotic dog is going through basic training with the Marine Corps

Google and Boston Dynamics’ latest robot is going through basic training thanks to the Marines, which have recruited the robodog for field trials.

The post Boston Dynamics’ robotic dog is going through basic training with the Marine Corps appeared first on Digital Trends.

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