Boston Dynamics and Others Vote Against Weaponization of Robots

Robot makers have pledged against the weaponization of robots including Boston Dynamics

Several robotics firms, including Boston Dynamics, the company behind the well-known quadruped robot Spot, vowed against the weaponization of robots. The vow is unlikely to have much of an impact on preventing the widespread use of this technology for weapons. An open letter addressed to the robotics industry was published.

The firms stated in an open letter to the whole robotics industry that they "think that putting robots weaponization that is remotely or autonomously operated… creates significant dangers of harm and serious ethical considerations." This was first reported by Axios. The following companies signed the letter: Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, ANYbotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics, and Unitree Robotics. "We pledge that we will not weaponize our advanced-mobility general-purpose robots or the software we develop that enables war robots and we will not support others to do so," the signatory states. Robots, like drones, are much more peaceful and are life-saving.

The letter comes as concerns regarding the use of a new breed of highly mobile, autonomous robots by armies and law enforcement have grown. These include bipedal robots and quadrupedal robots (made by companies like Unitree, ANYbotics, and Boston Dynamics) (like the Digit robot, built by Agility Robotics).

These kinds of applications are not disallowed by the open letter that was issued this week. To be clear, the statement reads, "We are not criticizing the use of existing technologies by governments and their law enforcement agencies to protect themselves and uphold their laws. The letter simply promises to refrain from turning robots into weapons, but it leaves open the potential that the machines might work with soldiers or police officers for surveillance and reconnaissance.

Notably, the US company Ghost Robotics, which also manufactures quadrupedal bots and has concentrated on military and government sales, is not among the signatories of the letter. The US Space Force, US Air Force, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are all testing the company's bots to monitor bases and the US border with Mexico. Jiren Parikh, the CEO of Ghost Robotics, has stated that the company never tries to limit customers' usage, despite the fact that Ghost Robotics' machines have also been equipped with firearms by arms manufacturers.