Contact Information: Contact: Rachel Friedman 727-443-7115, ext. 206 Rachel@newsandexperts.com
Will Robots Replace U.S. Armed Forces?
| Source: Howard Smith
TORONTO--(Marketwire - November 26, 2008) - Science fiction is becoming science fact: The
robots are here.
More than 6,000 robots are already used by U.S. troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan. While that can ultimately lead to less human risk for U.S.
troops on the battlefield, can the threat of armed robots be used against
us by terrorists?
Howard S. Smith, author of the new book "I, robot" (Robot Binaries & Press
www.robotpress.net), is an MIT-trained engineer and artificial intelligence
expert. His techno thriller is a modern update to the original "I, Robot"
book written in the 1940s. Smith says while robotics can have innocuous
applications, such as the supermarket self-checkout machines he helped
create, the focus today is on developing new weapons and tools for the
military.
"Hundreds of billions of dollars are going into military applications, with
virtually no money for consumer applications," says Smith. "And, don't
expect those Hollywood-created versions of robotic soldiers. The robots
you've seen in movies aren't necessarily what the military's creating."
The military currently uses Predator aircraft drones and bomb-defusing
robots; both of which have saved countless lives of U.S. troops. While
improvements over military weapons of yesteryear, these robots still
require a human at the controls. But the latest advancements in military
robotics and artificial intelligence are aimed at removing the human factor
from the decision making, creating weapons that will ultimately 'decide'
whether to fire weapons. And that dramatically raises the stakes for the
military and for civilians.
"As we become more accustomed to these robots, we will ultimately give them
more control," says Smith. "Our leaders must make smart, ethical decisions
about these 'thinking' weapons. It's not a vision of a far-flung future.
They are here now, on the battlefield, and these machines will change our
world."
About Howard S. Smith
Howard S. Smith has a degree in Biomedical engineering from MIT. He was the
founder and president of Optimal Robotics, which patented, designed, built,
and installed the supermarket self-checkout machines, which were originally
called "service robots." Smith currently offers consulting services in the
area of robotics and artificial intelligence through Robot Binaries & Press
Corp. www.robotpress.net
To interview Howard Smith or request a review copy of "I, robot" contact
Rachel Friedman at (727) 443-7115 ext. 206 or Rachel@NewsAndExperts.com
Please include your name, publication, and mailing address with request.