If you thought Spot from Boston Dynamics was terrifying, this Ghost Robotics quadrupedal robot has a massive gun strapped to it. In recent years, these four-legged robots have been popping up all over place, offering manoeuvrability and agility we couldn’t dream of from robots only several years ago. But now they are small, nimble, and able to go places that wheeled machines can’t, meaning they can help with many dangerous tasks not ideal for humans.
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This is the Vision 60 from Ghost Robotics, which has been equipped with a custom gun by small-arms specialist Sword International. They called the gun the SPUR or “special purpose unmanned rifle” and has been designed to fit on various automated robotic platforms, according to the company. It has a 30x optical zoom, thermal camera for targeting in the dark, and an effective range of 1,200 metres. While it isn’t clear if the robot is currently on sale, it will be relatively soon as the company’s website claims that “the SWORD Defence Systems SPUR is the future of unmanned weapon systems, and that future is now.”
While most of these types of robots have been built for reconnaissance purposes until now, manufacturers have been dabbling in fitting it with different attachments and utility options. This includes bomb detection and deactivation, detecting radioactive material or chemical weapons, as well as less sinister uses like being used as mobile cell towers or remote video and mapping equipment.
Interestingly, Boston Dynamics has a strict policy against weaponization of its robots.
The remaining question is how these machines are intended to be deployed. The United States Army showed off this design, so presumably it will serve in some capacity for the Army. Whether that is alongside human companions or on its own remains to be seen.
