It sounds like it’s straight out of science fiction so where else but in the crime-ridden streets of California could you possibly see robot police officers capable of lethal force?
ABC reported that Supervisors in San Francisco voted Tuesday to give city police the ability to use potentially lethal, remote-controlled robots in emergency situations — following an emotionally charged debate that reflected divisions on the politically liberal board over support for law enforcement.
The vote was 8-3, with the majority agreeing to grant police the option despite strong objections from civil liberties and other police oversight groups. Opponents said the authority would lead to the further militarization of a police force already too aggressive with poor and minority communities.
Supervisor Connie Chan, a member of the committee that forwarded the proposal to the full board, said she understood concerns over use of force but that “according to state law, we are required to approve the use of these equipments. So here we are, and it’s definitely not a easy discussion.”
According to NPR, the idea of robots being legally allowed to kill has garnered some controversy. In October, a number of robotics companies — including Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics — signed an open letter, saying that general purpose robots should not be weaponized.
Ryan Calo is a law and information science professor at the University of Washington and also studies robotics. He says he’s long been concerned about the increasing militarization of police forces, but that police units across the country might be attracted to utilizing robots because “it permits officers to incapacitate a dangerous individual without putting themselves in harm’s way.”
I have to admit that the entire concept was so tabloidy to me that I had to hit several sources before bringing it up for discussion. From what I have gathered the tech has been used by the military but it’s unclear if the government will step in to help officers make the transition.
