Rise of the machines continues in Israel
April 30th, 2008
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have become a staple of modern warfare, so it was only a matter of time before ground vehicles caught up. Although it looks like a stock racer crossed with a hatchback, the Guardium is actually Israel’s first (and the world’s second) autonomous ground attack vehicle.
The robot is designed to replace human soldiers for lengthy, tedious tasks such as patrolling, although a human operator can patch into the machine at any time. When on its own, the Guardium can navigate traffic, perform sentry work, identify targets and even engage targets. Personally, I don’t trust my toaster to get things done right, but I’m still not sure whether this marks an improvement on a jumpy 17 year old conscript with an assault rifle. John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org is quoted as saying:
A robot does what it’s told, and you’ll be able to get them to advance in ways it’s hard to get human soldiers to do. They don’t have fear, and they kill without compunction.
Now where have I heard that before?
Thanks, Brian!
Entry Filed under: General
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9 Comments
1. Sim-O | May 1st, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Seen robot cars before in the Grand Challenge, and If I was an Israeli I would be hiding behind something when they send that thing in.
2. Frank the SciencePunk | May 1st, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Robot cars, cool. Robot soldiers = eek!
3. PUTTPUTT | June 1st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
A JOHN DEER LAWNMOWER PAINTED BLACK!!!
PROBABLY COST DUMB AMERICAN TAXPAYERS MILLION.
ISRAEL IS THE ULTIMATE SCAM.
4. Henry E | June 1st, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Scam? We’ll get these, just as we’ve adopted hundreds of Israeli military innovations over the decades.
I flew in the Marines, and know that not only did the Sidewinder missile and F4 Phantom employ Israeli modifications, we had actual flying Russian MIGs to study. Like it or not, Israel made a big contribution to the end of the Cold War.
Meanwhile, I wonder if this gadget – equipped with less-than-lethal weapons – will patrol our southern border.
5. max | June 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 am
I’m going to have to agree that Israel is not the “Ultimate scam” that PUTTPUTT claims it to be. Building on what Henry E stated, America owes a lot to Israel. Beyond inventing the technology necessary to enable cell phones to actually exist, inventing most of the technology to develop the pentium processor, Israel literally invented the concept of airport security and continues to be the industry leader, lets also not forget that Israel invented an ingestible pill camera to diagnose stomach and GI issues. Ever wonder how it is possible for farming to take place in desert regions…drip irrigation was invented in Israel. How do you get your messages on your phone? thats right, voicemail was also invented in Israel. All the above while engaged in regular wars with an implacable enemy that seeks its destruction, and an economy continuously under strain by having to spend more per capita on its own protection than any other country on earth. This from a country just 55 years young having started off life on a very frontiers-like basis, whose population had mostly just emerged from the devastating World War II years.
6. Carl | June 2nd, 2008 at 5:19 am
Except that that picture is poorly photoshopped.
that’s probably not even what i looks like.
7. Milander | June 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
What is it with fuckheads like Carl who have to say everyting is photoshopped? The government should start a program so these idiots can get free sex and stop being such prickish losers….
Fuck, I hate these dickhead cunts like Carl
8. Milander | December 6th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Disregard that, i suck cocks. Carl is right, that is photoshopped! just look at the tires
9. Milander | December 18th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Never mind, it is real. I was there.
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