The Segway Goes to War
I'm not making this up.
OK, OK, if I step back and look at this objectively I can see a legitimate interest here. It's not unlike the robot planes, and I'm all for technology that assures that a robot takes a bullet in place of a G.I.
But, I admit, I had to stop laughing before I could reach that conclusion. The image of a platoon of soldiers on Segways - or, better, of Segways operating independently - is absolutely hilarious. It's a long way from the grim machines of war in Terminator, isn't it? It seems almost whimsical.
Quote:
The program is still in the research phase, so the self-balancing scooters aren't expected to report to boot camp anytime soon.
So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls -- all without human control.
Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.
The program is still in the research phase, so the self-balancing scooters aren't expected to report to boot camp anytime soon.
So far, university researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls -- all without human control.
Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.
OK, OK, if I step back and look at this objectively I can see a legitimate interest here. It's not unlike the robot planes, and I'm all for technology that assures that a robot takes a bullet in place of a G.I.
But, I admit, I had to stop laughing before I could reach that conclusion. The image of a platoon of soldiers on Segways - or, better, of Segways operating independently - is absolutely hilarious. It's a long way from the grim machines of war in Terminator, isn't it? It seems almost whimsical.
Comments
Originally posted by Amorph
It seems almost whimsical.
That's the most dangerous part about it. Every technological development that distances soldiers from the killing sphere has increased the fatal capacity of war. While it would appear that this saves our soldiers' lives, that's only true for as long as we have the technology and they do not. Dehumanizing killing makes war more clinical, more efficient, and ultimately, more deadly.
But yes, it is funny
Yeah, I'm thinking that a Segway wouldn't do so well over in Iraq.
solve multiple problems at once
I wonder how they work in the sand.....
Originally posted by Akumulator
I hope this technology doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
He He
Originally posted by applenut
isn't there a more efficient design than a segway for independant control?
I imagine you could chop off the handlebars and add some sort of dummy weight to make this thing go? Beats me.
It does conjure the image of a 21st century Keystone Cops routine, or maybe like one of the professor's gadgets on Gilligan's Island.
can also drag the wounded out of harms way.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
I imagine you could chop off the handlebars and add some sort of dummy weight to make this thing go? Beats me.
It does conjure the image of a 21st century Keystone Cops routine, or maybe like one of the professor's gadgets on Gilligan's Island.
Use it as a blunt melee weapon.
Originally posted by Placebo
Use it as a blunt melee weapon.
http://www.itswalky.com/d/20020203.html
Originally posted by Matsu
That's the most dangerous part about it. Every technological development that distances soldiers from the killing sphere has increased the fatal capacity of war. While it would appear that this saves our soldiers' lives, that's only true for as long as we have the technology and they do not. Dehumanizing killing makes war more clinical, more efficient, and ultimately, more deadly. [snip]
Matsu - great post!
hopefully the soldiers will be wise enough to actually turn it on before trying to use it...
http://www.bikexprt.com/witness/product/bushfalls.htm
Originally posted by Akumulator
I hope this technology doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
You know what pops into my mind looking at that pic? Those rifle-toting sewgays would be awfully hard to take out. Tiny tiny silouette, very low center of gravity, you can make the beam out of titanium, and you can surround the low-slung guts with titanium armor. Stick a rifle and a little camera on that bugger, and it'd make one heck of a hard-to-kill grunt.
[da da dum du dum. da da dum du dum.]