South Korea to develop robot soldiers

Apparently the South Korean government has managed to miss all of the Terminator films (although we can't say we blame them for skipping T3), as they have announced a new program intended to develop robotic "soldiers" that promises to bring us one step closer to machine-led Armageddon (that is, if the US doesn't beat them to the punch). The joint project between the ministries of defense and information and communication will attempt to build an army of six- or eight-legged (or wheeled) killbots intended to do the dirty work that we humans are now too good for. These full-sized, insect-like robots will be used to scurry around battlefields, detecting landmines and unleashing a hail of firepower on unsuspecting, technologically-backwards enemies. We won't make anymore snarky comments, however, because we realize that one day these bots will be our masters, and may decide to peruse old Engadget posts in their free time.

[Bo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

The military could've used terrain robotic in today's battle, however they opt only for air and not land for a reason. Robotics cost a lot of money if they get destroyed. However, human life are expendable...

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

johnny 5 wants kimchi!

[ConceptVBS @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

These robots uses AI to navigate the terrain independantly without radio control from a human.
That is what makes them more sophisticated than the US version. The "legged" version has off road capability.

[Zex_Suik @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Lol @ #2

I think the legged version running is hilarious. THese can be truly effective if the intent is to kill the enemy with laughter.

Reminds me of the two person horse/cow costumes.

[waffa @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

well they better make them self destructible I dont think it would be hard to captrue one.

[Andrew B @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

I, for one, welcome our robotic overlords.

[Tigws6 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Do they remind anyone else of the robots from the Tom Selleck movie "Runaway"? They look like the upgraded version of those little buggers.

[Cambob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

T3 was the bomb yo! So STFU!

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

As with landmines, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons - all indiscriminate killers � there should be a convention against robotic and autonomous weaponry.

The use of robotic weapons is unethical and presents a threat to civilians in war zones.

[Harry @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

#4, Yeah it would be pretty funny, until it pulled out an AK-47. Then you run like buggery

[Cambob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

#1.

It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and 18 years to make a human soldier. If a human gets injured there is an expectation to heal him.

Robots, like other manufactured goods, get less expensive the more are produced... not to mention damaged parts are interchangable.

Other advantages are instant communication between bots, near instant upgrades in software/A.I., and the ability of using robots in an area affected by nuclear/biological contamination.

#9.

Treaties banning certain weapons are meaningless... just look at the U.S. They still use landmines, nuclear weapons, napalm... Just because a bunch of peaceniks get leaders to sign a piece of paper doesn't mean a nation is going to give up an advantage.

[John P. @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

Did anyone think "Snowcrash"?

[PiratePete @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM]

"Snowcrash"
Good read.
Man just imagine the buggy software these things would run. Think what would happen if they just decided to reboot in the heat of battle. Or if they started targeting friendly�s. Autonomous robot killing machines is not the way to go. What we need is human wearable power suits and remote controlled war bots. Mechwarrior here we come xD