The robot company Boston Dynamics, which belongs to the Hyundai Motor Group, has pledged in an open letter, together with other robot developers, not to arm their robots so that they cannot be used as killer robots in wars. Instead, they should serve society and be used in private households and industry, the companies said on Friday.
In the letter co-signed by Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, Anybotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics and Unitree the companies write that their robotic technology carries the potential for abuse. It could be used to violate civil rights and threaten people. In addition, use as a weapon of war is conceivable. Armed robots could be used remotely or autonomously. This “raises new risks and serious ethical questions”. Such a deployment would also shake public confidence in robotics. Therefore, all signatories refuse to arm their robots.
Against killer robots
At the same time, they promise not to want to help others to do the same. In order to avoid that customers arm the robots afterwards, a careful check should be carried out in advance to avoid such an approach. Developments in recent months in which commercial robots have been armed by third parties have raised particular concern. Among them is a replica of Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot. The Russian company Hoversurf had equipped the replica with a submachine gun. As early as July 2022, Boston Dynamics had made it clear that installing weapons in their own robots is prohibited.
The robot companies are aware that they cannot do it alone, but need political support for the goal of peaceful robot use. They are therefore appealing to politicians to promote the civilian use of robots and to ban their misuse.
The robot manufacturers agree that scientists, organizations and users should also join the self-commitment and impose similar obligations on themselves. Robots are meant to work side-by-side with humans, not as damaging weapons.
(olb)