Elbit Systems unveils VIPeR "hunter-killer" robot

Israeli defense firm Elbit System looks to be gunning squarely at iRobot's battle-hardened territory, today unveiling its less-than-originally-named VIPeR bot which, as you can see, boasts some serious firepower. In addition to that imposing Uzi machine-pistol (aimed via video camera, not autonomously), Reuters reports that the bot can also plant grenades, and be equipped with the necessary tools to sniff out bombs and dispose of them appropriately. While the bot will apparently be deployed with Israeli forces initially, the company also appears to be hoping to attract the interest of the United States military, as well as foreign police forces. No word if the the testing process included showdowns with other robots, although it's hard to imagine them being able to resist.

[ForumMaster @ Mar 9th 2007 7:32AM]

really cool. wonder if/when they are going to give it AI. kinda of dangerous yes, but undoubtedly the next step. how big is it? can't be bigger then a cat by the size of that Uzi barrel...

[Rynth @ Mar 9th 2007 7:46AM]

I , for one, welcome our bomb sniffing, potential massacring , with-mounted-gun robotic overlords..

Never mind..

Its only so long before we get over-ran by Robots with mounted Uzi's..

[Jared @ Mar 9th 2007 7:46AM]

That is not an Uzi in that picture. That is a mini-disruptor used for shooting apart suspect packages and bombs.

[OC @ Mar 9th 2007 7:54AM]

Don't be fooled. It already has AI and it's only only pretending to be the size of a cat. It is in fact fifty feet tall and wants to enslave us all.

[lopazopy @ Mar 9th 2007 8:01AM]

Is this thing powered by hamsters, or did they just have a surplus of hamster balls to get rid of?

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 9th 2007 8:12AM]

Looks like something from North Central Positronics.

[CowboyGA @ Mar 9th 2007 9:09AM]

Add a larger gun and image recognition and you have that nightmarish scene from Robocop where a demonstrator gets killed. Childhood nightmare, here we come!

[Matt B @ Mar 9th 2007 10:30AM]

Image recognition? How do you propose it to distinguish a Palestinian from any other of middle eastern decent?

[Yayaja @ Mar 9th 2007 10:26AM]

Enjoy it while it lasts folks... the ability to step outside your house and NOT fear mindless gun wielding robots. These days will soon be over.

[WhoDatNinja @ Mar 9th 2007 10:48AM]

How big is that thing? The barrel looks like they took it from a paintball gun.

[Electromodo @ Mar 9th 2007 10:58AM]

Guys, read the parent, it says "roughly the size of a small television". Seems like you can not attach anything bigger than UZI to it because of the recoil.

I wonder though if UZI recoil would still be too much for this small guy, especially when it is climbing the slope/stairs, etc. I would really make it at least 6 feet tall ;)

[Andrew Fong @ Mar 9th 2007 1:36PM]

EX-TER-MIN-NATE!!!

[Ian Mah @ Mar 9th 2007 1:55PM]

I looked all over the dollar store to find one, where did they get that toy it's so cool, does it shoot caps or little nerf(c) missles?

Want one.. really! better if it was remote controlled... weeeeeeh!

[Smilesaurus @ Mar 9th 2007 1:57PM]

I can see how the IDF has managed to kill so many people ( >5100 innocents since the year 2000).

Nations should focus resources on making the world better, not improving weapons so they can grab more land (didn't Elbit get the memo? kill&colonize = outdated)

Think this is "liberal" talk?
Tell that to the 122 Israeli and over 1000 Palestinian/Lebanese dead children.

[mayesh @ Mar 11th 2007 1:58AM]

@Smilesaurus

Yes, you are right.

Please let your arab friends , who have currently control on so much oil and power, try and DIVERT THEIR EFFORT FOR TERROR, and try and do something for their people - that will die of hunger the minute the oil runs out.

What did THEY DO to make the world a happier place ??

yes, 5100 innocent people my arse.

Nothing like a good old innocent German student (Mohamed Atta) to make you think twice what is the real nature of this conflict.

But I am sure Iran is different. Hell, they say their nuclear program is for peace... it will be intresting to see what happenes when the 1st misille falls in Paris or Madrid.

(Probably the world would blame Israel, although it doesn't really matter that this is EXACTLY what the terrorists want you to think...)

[Ben Hobbs @ Mar 10th 2007 9:44AM]

Think this is "liberal" talk?
Tell that to the 122 Israeli and over 1000 Palestinian/Lebanese dead children.

Wow thats almost as many people as die of malaria within 12 hours of every single day. Tell THEM to stop killing each other, don't see how I personally have anything to do with it, hopefully if they keep making Robots they can just keep count of how many robots kill each other every day.

[Matt @ Mar 11th 2007 1:11AM]

OooOOOooo!
A hunter-des—
What is it?!
A hunter-destroy—
WHAT IS IT??!!

[annoyed pause]

A hunter-destroyer machine.

[Matt @ Mar 11th 2007 1:12AM]

Blarg, stupid thing took out my [ZIM] and [GIR] "tags". Begin with GIR and alternate.

[Smilesaurus @ Mar 13th 2007 2:39AM]

To mayesh:

"Please let your arab friends"
Ok, I'll make sure to pass on your wisdom bearing message to the 2 Arabs I know. Yes, because they have so much oil!

"yes, 5100 innocent people my arse."
Yes, innocent people. Dead people. Perhaps you've become desensitized by the time you've watched the third Saw movie. Once you've visited places like Lebanon and talked to orphans on either side, then start arguing. When you get your information from somewhere that's not FOX or ABC or any other CORPORATE outlet, then start talking.

You're talking about the garbage Mohamed Atta? Yes, he's a murderer. True nature of this conflict? I did see the true nature of the conflict. I've seen Israel, Palestine, and recently, Lebanon. I've seen Iraq, during the sanctions and during the occupation.
Mohamed Atta and the other terrorists killed almost 3000 INNOCENT Americans (there's that 'innocent' word again... It seems you only like using that word for certain people).

I recognize that Mohamed Atta is a terrorist for killing so many people. What about former President George HW Bush? Is he a terrorist because of the sanctions that killed at least 400,000 children in Iraq? What about, may he RIP, former PM Ariel Sharon? Is he a terrorist for the Sabra & Shatila massacres?

Making this case a Good vs Evil and not seeing murderous governments/regimes for what they are is irresponsible and works against peace.

It is true that THEY (Arabs, Muslims, whatever) have done a lot to us (Americans), but we also have to admit that we have done a lot to them. We have to stop the "they just want us all dead" mindset that we get from corporate media (read: private agenda) - look at the problem in a realistic way. There is something that "they" want (like not being sanctioned, imprisoned and bombed) and there is a way to give it to "them" without compromising the interests of the US, or Israel for that matter. The only great solutions are the ones that don't involve blowing something up - if those are the only solutions that we can come up with, then we are no different than the "terrorists".

"What did THEY DO to make the world a happier place ??"
I'm not only insulted that you talk about Arabs like that, but I find it ignorant and racist.
Anyway, the "arabs" have done a lot to make this world a better place. Just remember that every time you drive your car. Also, "arab" countries are not welfare countries that need to be nursed by US tax dollars (unlike some other countries). "arab" countries give, not take (and build WMDs).

[mogbert @ Mar 11th 2007 12:06PM]

I'm not sure if it was here or on the other gadget site, but I have already informed the world you are not allowed to name anything spider or viper ANYMORE!
OK? And that includes spyder, vyper, or any other phononyms!

[David Engel @ Apr 8th 2007 12:42PM]

It's small size may not be a disadvantage. Note that the greatest dinasour predator was the Velico Raptor, much smaller than a human being. The toughest dog is the pitbull. It is much harder to hit than a tank with a missile. I see these robots as going behind enemy lines and entering bunkers. They also may be able to detect and attack missile sites. I can envision the robots getting to the tops of hills in Lebanon and Syria and wreaking havoc on oncoming movements.

[Magallanes @ Mar 11th 2007 1:39PM]

Nothing new really, just put some fancy and movable toy and attach a uzi.

[shoo @ Mar 11th 2007 5:18PM]

if you like to know who developped this and to see movie of an early prototype gp to www.galileo-mobility.com
they have many nore applications including a climbing stairs wheelchair