Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Soldiers Learn To Trust Robots
In Israel, small teams of soldiers are learning to use and trust small robots in urban combat situations. While training, they learn the limitations of the different robotic platforms.
I've written about one of the robots that are being used in training exercises; the remote-controlled Eye Ball surveillance camera, a small, spherical device.
According to the Wired article, soldiers are initially reluctant to trust robots to watch their backs. The key, according to Israeli trainers, is to make sure the bots are extremely user-friendly.
There are other approaches to using small, spherical robots.
The robots arrive at Niv’s unit in the CT school, where they are tested locally. Niv’s unit then goes out on [combat] missions with the robots for further testing. After the robot passes these trials, it is integrated into the CT school, where Niv and David write a curriculum for using it in the field. Then the special forces units, who spend a lot of time at Mitkan Adam, get to try it out next, and give further feedback … to Niv. Finally, Niv disseminates the new protocols for using the robots to the rest of the ground forces.
(Philip K. Dick's Claws (or Screamers) - from the 1995 movie)
In his 1953 short story Second Variety, Philip K. Dick writes about the relationship between soldiers and the autonomous robots that help guard their bunkers.
The Russian... was only a few paces from the bunker. Eric was getting fidgety. He played with his pistol, glancing at Leone. "Don't worry," Leone said. "He won't get here. They'll take care of him... They hang around close to the bunker..."Leone touched Eric's arm. "Here one comes."
Across the ground something metallic came, flashing in the sunlight of midday. A metal sphere. It raced up the hill after the Russian, its treads flying. It was small, one of the baby ones. Its claws were out, two razor projections spinning in a blur of white steel...
(Read more about PKD's claws - guard robots
In the story, the soldiers use "tabs", metal wrist bands, that emit radiation detected by the claws, to ensure that the claws do not turn upon their masters.
Via Wired, with thanks to Frolix_8.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 8/6/2009)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 5 )
Related News Stories - (" Warfare ")
'Warrior Suit' Combat Exoskeleton Project Still Alive
'Suited up, you look like a big steel gorilla.'
Sea Drones Attack Russian Fleet
'...autofreighters, and other self-piloting craft.' - Ray Naylor, 2022.
Slaughterbot AI KIller Quadcopter Drones
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.' - Neal Stephenson, 1995.
Russia Working On Military Exoskeletons
'...you look like a big steel gorilla...' - Robert Heinlein, 1959.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Mechazilla Arms Catch A Falling Starship, But Check Out SF Landing-ARMS
'...the rocket’s landing-arms automatically unfolded.'
A System To Defeat AI Face Recognition
'...points and patches of light... sliding all over their faces in a programmed manner that had been designed to foil facial recognition systems.'
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...'
Hybrid Wind Solar Devices
'...the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise.'
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.'
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...'
Solar-Powered Space Trains On The Moon
'The low-slung monorail car, straddling its single track, bored through the shadows on a slowly rising course.'
Drone Deliveries Instead Of Waiters In Restaurants?
'It was a smooth ovoid floating a few inches from the floor...'
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.'
Skip Movewear Arc'teryx AI Pants
'...the terrible Jovian gravity that made each movement an effort.'
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
How Old Are Tesla Designs?
You be the judge.
Is Your Autonomous Tractor Safe?
'The field-minder finished turning the top-soil of a two-thousand-acre field.'
Smart TVs Are Listening!
'You had to live -- did live, from habit that became instinct -- in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard...'
Police Drones In China Would Like To Have A Word With You
''OVERRIDE,' the City Fathers said suddenly, without being asked anything at all.'
Oh Great (Part 2), Fence-Climbing Robots
Please, no stingers.
