Home

On:

These days, it appears that there are few things that Man can do, that a machine could not do as well, or even better. This apparently includes engaging in warfare.

Certainly, defense is an area where no expense is spared in developing the latest technology and improving performance, but sometimes constructing advanced weaponry can take a very long time. For example, the F-22 Raptor fighter jet was the most technologically advanced fighter ever created, designed back in 1983 to give the US military a tactical edge in the Cold War, but it took 22 years – and $39 billion – before it was delivered, 14 years after the fall of the Soviet Union.
read more

On:

The future of "killer drones" is one in which, instead of being operated by remote control, the drones themselves make the decision to attack. If (and when) that happens, who will be held responsible–the machine or the military that launched it?

The First World War was launched with a single assassination. In the March 17th edition of the New York Times, Bill Keller quotes Stephen of Human Rights Watch as saying, "This is something people seem to feel at a very gut level is wrong. The ugh factor comes through really strong."
read more

On:

Drones are in our future: The US military is planning to open a drone base in Africa in order to gather intelligence on extremist groups in the area.

The immediate impetus for a drone base in the region is to provide surveillance assistance to the French-led operation in Mali. There is a large flow of fighters and weapons from Libya to that country.

In the January 28th edition of the New York Times, Eric Schmitt quotes Niger president (where the base may be set up) Mahamadou Issoufou as saying, "What’s happening in northern Mali is a big concern for us because what’s happening in northern Mali can also happen to us."
read more

On:

Why make tiny flying drones when you can fly REAL insects by remote-control? In 2006, DARPA asked US scientists to submit "innovative proposals to develop technology to create insect-cyborgs"–tiny flying robots that can perform surveillance in dangerous territory. One there was a big problem: Since they couldn’t carry much fuel, they couldn’t stay in the air very long. The solution? Use real bugs.

In the February 16th edition of the Observer, Emily Anthes quotes DARPA engineer Amit Lal as saying, "Proof of existence of small-scale flying machines is abundant in nature in the form of insects."
read more