US Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is evaluating new robot dogs for use in combat. The robot dogs, developed by Ghost Robotics, can be equipped with weapons systems.
MARSOC is currently testing the quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGVs) for a number of different uses, including reconnaissance and surveillance, but it has also been investigating the robots’ potential as weapons platforms.
Two Q-UGVs with weapons systems are currently being tested. They are equipped with Onyx Industries’ SENTRY remote weapon system, which uses an AI imaging system to allow autonomous tracking and detection of enemies, whether human or non-human.
At present, the system requires human intervention to fire, but critics worry that decision-making for engagement will be handed off to the robots themselves in the near future.
Many believe this is a matter of “when” and not “if.” In November 2022, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a decision that allows the San Francisco Police Department to use lethal robots against suspects.
This is not the first time the Marines have tested robots with weapons.
The Marines have already tested robot dogs equipped with rocket launchers.
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