[TML] Robotics: The Shape of Things to Come

[Richard Aiken]

On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 10:20 PM, Stuart Frew <stuart at frew.net.nz> wrote:
> I'd also send it first into any terrain that might be mined or otherwise
> booby trapped.
> It would[n't] be perfect but it would sure help.

ISTR that someone was developing a robot to retrieve casualties while
under fire.  The prototype I remember seemed to be something like a
small tank (rather like the wire-guided tracked mines the Germans
fiddled with in WWII).  If the goal is to protect the casualty from
further injury, the tank thing would probably be the way to go.  If
it's to get out to the casualty quickly - without worrying about
accidentally running over the casualty - I think this 'bot would be
better.

In either case, sniper tactics or at least equipment would probably be
affected.  Isn't one of these to wound the first target, so that
others are lured into the open to render aid?  If the standard
response becomes to send out the 'bot, the sniper's weapon would have
to be capable of mission-killing the 'bot before the traditional
scheme could work.

-- 
Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein