New DARPA Robot Can Autonomously Track People

Following Professor Noel Sharkey’s warning that the fleet of robots being developed for DARPA will ultimately be used to “kill people,” Boston Dynamics has released a new video showcasing how its LS3 robot is able to autonomously track humans over rugged terrain.

The video clip shows a field test of the DARPA Legged Squad Support System autonomously following a man through a forest. The robot is also able to interpret visual and verbal commands.

“We’ve refined the LS3 platform and have begun field testing against requirements of the Marine Corps,” Army Lt. Col. Joe Hitt, DARPA program manager told Fox News. “The vision for LS3 is to combine the capabilities of a pack mule with the intelligence of a trained animal.”

Although Boston Dynamics and DARPA claim the robots are ostensibly being designed to help conduct humanitarian and relief missions, Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield, recently warned that the true purpose of the machines is less benign.

Speaking about the Cheetah, a similar robot currently being perfected by Boston Dynamics, Sharkey said the device represented, “an incredible technical achievement, but it’s unfortunate that it’s going to be used to kill people.”

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2012-09-12 11:52:39

Source: http://www.whiteowlconspiracy.com/2012/09/new-darpa-robot-can-autonomously-track.html