Source: Fox News
Summary
Foundation, a US robotics company, is developing humanoid robots that can autonomously navigate rugged terrain and detect people. The company has demonstrated the technology to Department of Homeland Security officials and is in talks with national security agencies. The robots, called Phantom, can distinguish humans from other obstacles, traverse uneven terrain, and map their environment. They could potentially be used for reconnaissance and surveillance at the US-Mexico border.
Our Reading
As expected, the discussion returns to a familiar question.
The Department of Homeland Security is exploring the use of humanoid robots for border patrol. Foundation, the company behind the robots, is in talks with national security agencies and has demonstrated the technology to DHS officials. The robots, called Phantom, can navigate rugged terrain and detect people. The company envisions the robots conducting reconnaissance and surveillance in areas difficult for humans or vehicles to access. The use of robots for border patrol is not new, but the development of humanoid robots that can autonomously navigate terrain is a new development.
The robots are designed to flag potential border crossings for human officers, rather than making enforcement decisions independently. The company is also exploring the use of robots for underground operations, such as detecting tunnels along the border.
The development of humanoid robots for border patrol raises questions about the role of technology in law enforcement and the potential consequences of relying on machines for surveillance and reconnaissance.
One observation is that the use of robots for border patrol is a familiar script, with the only difference being the type of technology used.
