New Laws of Robotics Proposed for US Kill-Bots

jakosc writes "The Register has a short commentary about a proposed new set of laws of robotics for war robots by John S Canning of the Naval Surface Warfare Centre. Unlike Asimov's three laws of robotics Canning proposes (pdf) that we should 'Let machines target other machines and let men target men.' Although this sounds OK in principle, 'a robot could decide under Mr Canning's rules, to target a weapon system such as an AK47 for destruction on its own initiative, requiring no permission from a human. If the person holding it was thereby killed, that would be collateral damage and the killer droid would be in the clear.'"

unless ...

[Anonymous Coward]

you're French.

... ducks ...

Re:Kill-Bots that don't kill

[Clazzy]

Running Lotus Notes?

Killbots? A trifle.

[tripler6]

You see, killbots have a preset kill limit. Knowing their weakness, I sent wave after wave of my own men at them until they reached their limit and shut down.

OMG! THEY KILLED KINNEY!

[funwithBSD]

Bastards!

Re:Robot laws

[BorgCopyeditor]

Unfortunately, the same point applies to humans.

The 0th law of robotics in action...

[johanw]

Mr. president, you are a threat to humanity. Prepare to die...

Re:unless ...

[Anonymous Coward]

Why was this modded flamebait? Because it was true? The only reason the French planted trees along the Champs-Elysées was so the Germans would have some shade the next time they marched in. (Apologies to Billy Connolly.)

Please won't somebody think of the kill droids?

[DarkOx]

I don't understand this or think its at all fair. We should not be imposing rules on the poor kill droids that are contrary to their nature. A kill droid so be free to romp and do what it does best kill anything and everything.

Honestly this strikes me like thoes people who adopt dogs that are prone to barking and then put collars on them to shock them when they do it. Its unfair I say, and worng to force something to act contrary to its nature. If you don't want a dog that barks much you should adopt a bread which is not given to barking or maybe just get a cat.

The same is true for robots. If you don't want a robot that runs around killing everything it detects especially you then you should forgo adopting or building a kill droid. Maybe go get yourself one of thoes more friendly industrial breads that enjoys welding steel pannels onto cars or if space is a concern some types of robots are very small and even enjoy roaming around your home vacuming the floor for you as they do. There is an appropriate type of robot for almost ever situation. Please be responsible and only adopt a kill droid if you have adequate supplies of victims for it to kill.