According to a report from Forbes, the US Marine Corps is testing robot dogs equipped with rifles for potential use in special operations. The robot dogs, developed by Ghost Robotics, are called Vision 60 quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicles (Q-UGVs). They are designed to carry various payloads, including sniper rifles, and can be remotely operated or function autonomously. The tests aim to evaluate the robots’ capabilities in supporting special operations forces in scenarios like reconnaissance, scouting enemy positions, and potentially engaging targets. While the idea of armed robot dogs may raise ethical concerns, the Marines emphasize that the robots would be controlled by human operators and used for force protection. The tests are part of the Corps’ efforts to explore emerging technologies that could enhance the capabilities of its special operations units.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/us-marines-special-ops-test-rifle-wielding-robot-dogs-report-2024-5