iRobot Demonstrates New Weaponized Robot

An anonymous reader writes "According to this IEEE story, iRobot and the US military have released video showing a weaponized version of iRobot's Warrior robot. In the video, the Warrior is seen firing a weapon system called the APOBS (Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System), a grenade-filled line propelled by a rocket and stabilized by a drogue parachute. This system is used to clear minefields and obstructed roads. The video shows soldiers deploying a Warrior with the APOBS mounted on its back. The robot fires the device, which lands along a dirt road, exploding after a few seconds. A voice is then heard, 'Road clear; proceed forward.'"

Obvious questions...

[TrisexualPuppy]

How much does one unit cost, and is this actually scalable and affordable for nations where there are landmines? Most of these countries are third-world as the majority of landmines in first-world countries (e.g. Germany) was cleared years ago.

This will end well...

[Brackney]

This older story comes to mind whenever I see a new article about military robots.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2007/10/robot-cannon-ki/ [wired.com]

Re:All hail the conquers!

[ralphdaugherty]

The robot fires the device, which lands along a dirt road, exploding after a few seconds. A voice is then heard, 'Road clear; proceed forward.'"

      That's fine, as long as RoboCop goes first.

Remote Controlled Car

[wonkavader]

This is a remote controlled car with a ridiculous rocket launcher on it. It costs $100k.

iRobot is making a mint sucking money out of the military and out of US taxpayers like me.

You could do this with a $60 RC car from radio shack and a lot of duct tape -- just rig the firing button to the horn. Buy one with big wheels.

For all the things we could be using actual robots for, this is pathetic, and a lot like a million-dollar fireworks show, circa Vietnam.

Re:Manual

[javilon]

The military of the future may not need to put lives on the front-lines.

And that is the problem. If nobody comes back home dead, and if the war are fought outside your territory (they are called liberation wars this days), then a war is just a headline on the news for the people on the country deploying the robots.

That makes engaging in "liberation" wars a much more attractive position for your average politician, especially when you are inside an economic crisis and need some foreign enemy to control your population.

Eventually wars will be a tech show where the country with the biggest toys wins and takes it all. At least the non nuclear wars.

I am really sad saying this. But if I was a third world country with a lot of resources (they are the usual target of "liberation" wars) I would see nuclear weapons as the only chance to achieve real independence as I wouldn't be able to afford high tech defenses.

Re:Obvious questions...

[MartinSchou]

There's a continuing effort underway for mine clearing systems with an eye to small cost and high effectiveness and safety.

Well, use prisoners sentenced for execution and animals (30+ kg) tagged to be destroyed. Each prisoner is given as many animals as (s)he wants, and if (s)he steps on a mine, we'll put him/her down with a bullet to the head.

If they manage to clear a set number (say 100 mines), they're free to go.