cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/15911898
China has showcased robot dogs capable of firing machine guns in the latest display of its military prowess.
The remote-controlled robots were unveiled during a military training exercise conducted by China and Cambodia earlier this month.
According to a video shared by state broadcaster CCTV, the battery-operated robodogs can function independently for between two and four hours and are capable of moving forward and backward, lying down, and jumping.
They can also plan routes, approach targets, and avoid obstacles, the video said. One of the robots shown in the video was fitted with a rifle to shoot targets, according to CCTV.
Chen Wei, a Chinese soldier, told CCTV that the robot dogs will “serve as a new member in urban combat operations” and can replace the role of human soldiers in identifying and striking targets.
Now I’m envisioning the same robot dog with a taser, which might be feasible.
After watching the video I’m still not clear on whether the gun can be rotated independently. It kind of looks like it only points and fires in the direction the machine is facing.
Basically I think almost anybody could jump to the side and avoid the line of fire before the operator could manage to line up a shot. This thing doesn’t turn particularly fast. I think actually hitting someone with a taser dart would be nearly impossible.
Now the US cops won’t even have to get off their car to shoot at black people