The US Army is investigating the potential of arming robot dogs with AI-enabled rifles to counter the threat of enemy drones. The plan involves mounting a lightweight machine gun or grenade launcher on a quadruped robot, which would use AI and machine learning algorithms to detect, track, and engage hostile drones autonomously or with human supervision. The AI system would need to reliably identify targets, calculate firing solutions, and make engagement decisions within seconds. While the concept raises ethical concerns about autonomous weapons, the Army emphasizes that a human would always be involved in the decision-making process. The project aims to enhance force protection and counter the growing threat of small drones used for surveillance or as loitering munitions. However, critics argue that such systems could be vulnerable to hacking or spoofing, leading to unintended consequences.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/army-looks-into-robot-dog-armed-ai-rifle-shoot-drones-2024-8