Early robots have found utility in warfare dating back to World War II (and arguably earlier), with the invention of simple electrical servo-mechanisms for fire control and targeting.  While fire control has become extremely advanced, its "human in the loop"  nature kept us (relatively) oblivious of the ethical implications of robots in warfare.  However, increased autonomy and point-and-click capabilities are forcing us to reevaluate the ethical implications of robots in warfare.  Enter a new book by P.W. Singer, entitled Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century.  Singer was recently interviewed by NPR (and on The Daily Show by Jon Stewart), where he talked about a number of interesting issues.  Links and discussion follow.


First, I'd like to note that this topic has (curiously?) been at the forefront of recent (mainline) robotics press; on November 24th,  the New York Times ran an article entitled "A Soldier, Taking Orders From Its Ethical Judgement Center," which featured work by Georgia Tech professor, Ron Arkin.

I suppose this makes Singer's book rather timely, and it is worthwhile to listen to the entire NPR interview (direct link to mp3).  To quote NPR:

Robot soldiers are no longer just the stuff of sci-fi fantasy. As technological warfare expert P.W. Singer explains in his new book, Wired For War, some military tasks previously assigned to humans are now being handled by machines.

But, says Singer, the new technological battleground — in which robots fly spy planes and search out IEDs — raises a host of ethical and legal quandaries.

Of course, for those who cannot spare the 38+ minutes, or those who prefer the comedic genius of Jon Stewart, there was an interview of Mr. Singer on The Daily Show.


Finally, I'd like to discuss something that was not directly addressed, but eluded to, in the Singer interviews:  the potential for asymmetries in robot-based warfare.  The United States'  "war against terrorism" has demonstrated that there is a definite asymmetry when it comes to extremely effective, high-tech, low-cost guerrilla warfare (consider cellphones strapped with explosives to form IEDs).  I would imagine that such techniques, combined with low-cost teleoperated (or autonomous) robot platforms would pose a very serious and asymmetric threat.  Consider that very capable robot platforms are sold at hobby shops and Wall-Marts across the country (RC Planes, Boats, and Trucks)...