http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/ Engadget Comments for Software glitch investigated as possible cause of deadly robot cannon incident http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
]]>Oct 18th 2007 4:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
And whats South Africa gotta do with it?

Inquiring minds want to know...]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 19th 2007 1:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
(see picture)]]>Oct 18th 2007 4:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
Take Jeffrey Dahmer for example. People make jokes about him because he was crazy. We don't joke about his victims, we feel sorry for them. Doesn't mean we can't poke fun at Dahmer himself.]]>Oct 18th 2007 5:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
"To be clearer, I refuse to show the machine any respect at all. As a result, I make fun of the machine. I do NOT make fun of the victims because I respect them."]]>Oct 18th 2007 5:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/I must have missed a recent memo.]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
They died during a weapons test. People die. Thats life.]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
Bad.]]>Oct 19th 2007 1:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
I for one, welcome our robotic overlords.]]>Oct 18th 2007 4:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Skynet was just delayed for some years... or days.]]>Oct 18th 2007 4:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 4:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
Ah, well, we've had a good run.

Enjoy the planet, RoboMen of the future. Maybe you'll take better care of the earth than we have... or wait, you won't care since you're not organic, so you'll destroy all organic life and habitats. Anyway, enjoy.]]>Oct 18th 2007 5:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/While in bad taste, it's been done before. ]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 6:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 5:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGoi1MSGu64
]]>Oct 18th 2007 5:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 6:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
If you read the article you will find that not only were they mis-using the gun as automatic when it was specifically stated to not be and "They made a temporary rig consisting of two steel poles on each side of the weapon, with a rope in between to keep the weapon from swinging. The weapon eventually knocked the polls down."

temporary rig made out of a rope and 2 poles? Masters of state of the art engineering and construction.

Bottom line is when you do stupid things with AA guns, people are going to get hurt/die. Thats exactly what happened. I don't see how this is some sort of mystery.]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Re-read the story.

This accident happened in 2007 at the "SA Army's Combat Training Centre, at Lohatlha, in the Northern Cape"

The story about the poles and rope happened in the 1990's at "Armscor's Alkantpan shooting range".

]]>Oct 19th 2007 8:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 6:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/when people misuse guns, people get hurt.
Of course it's rarely the stupid ones that only hurt themselves, but hopefully if the idiot didn't die he will learn to use non-automatic weapon as such.

People die every day. In the philosophical sense, we are all dying. If you can't except death as an everyday event you are just going to run around miserable and pissing and moaning at everyone who's feelings aren't as touchy as yours(exactly what you just did).

As a South African I would fear for my life, because your military is not competent enough to operate something as simple as an AA gun correctly. Just relax and accept your new robot overlords. Hopefully they will be more careful when operating guns.]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/South africa, even after the end of apartheid, just continued to sell weapons to unstable nations and dictators and terrorists, for the money, that's right the same damn army, and weapons that shot back this time, are being sold for money to kill actual civilians or to protect bastards that do, very nice of you to be proud of that.
Give me a break why don't you.
]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Your responses to my post are typical of first world assholes who know fuck all about anywhere else but their own countries and have no respect for human life. South Africa's post apartheid policy has f-all to do with the incident and the modified aa guns that were being used have been used here safely for years without incident. the one time something goes wrong as a result of a computer malfunction and uninformed tossers like yourselves jump to conclusions and start accusing poeple of being incompetent. these are people who have dedicated their lives to serving their counrty and they dont need people such as yourselves making light of their misfortune. my feelings arent touchy, i just have respect fo the lives of others, especially those who serve to protect me. and by the way, the south arican defence force is very capable. if you knew anything about the history of warfare you would know that the south african special forces are the best in the world. our ex-reccies train american and british elite forces even to this day.
so why dont you give me a break an think before you blindly comment on things you know nothing about.]]>Oct 19th 2007 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
HAHA!]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/]]>Oct 18th 2007 6:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 18th 2007 6:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
The original manufacturer of the gun specifically told their customers (South Africa) that it was never intended for fully automatic use, but then SA automated it anyway WITHOUT the aid or knowledge of the manufacturer. They seem to have seen right away that it didn't work right, and would regularly go out of control. So what was their solution? Take it off automatic? Downgrade it back to software that they knew worked properly? Nope, they put up some poles and tied some ropes to it. Genius.

Add to it that budgetary constraints forced the upgrade projected to be rushed and that therefore shoddy programming was injected into the mix, and you pretty much have a recipe for disaster. This isn't a case of 'Skynet' or the system becoming 'self-aware'. Anyone who knows anything about AI can tell you that we can barely make a system that can be considered self-aware at all, and that takes much much more computing power than would be in the control system of an AA turret.]]>Oct 18th 2007 7:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 19th 2007 1:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 19th 2007 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
Next thing somewhere down the line, when more people get killed by them, and those people not being the enemy, do we still blame it on a software glitch?

I'm just saying....

*starts building a bunker before rise of the machines starts*]]>Oct 18th 2007 7:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/
Not that they'll be revived if we're entirely serious, but still I find them tasteless.

The problem isn't even of technology that will run doing things on its own, it's *us* using technology without proper precaution, enabling it to handle dangerous equipment, and becoming victims of our own negligence.]]>Oct 18th 2007 7:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/ suv4x4]]>Oct 18th 2007 10:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/software-glitch-investigated-as-possible-cause-of-deadly-robot-c/Oct 19th 2007 12:52AM