massar@think.ARPA (JP Massar) (12/26/85)
"A much more sinister arrival on the robot scene is named Prowler.
Created by Robot Defense Systems in Colorado, Prowler has been designed
for use as a sentry to guard military installations, warehouses and
other sites where security is important. When made available in the
near future, this squat, sturdy, mobile device will carry
microcomputers, software and sensors capable of locating intruders.
Chillingly, buyers will be able to arm Prowler with machine guns and
grenade launchers; they'll also be able to program the robot to fire at
will. The manufacturer claims that interest in Prowler has been high,
both among domestic companies who see it as a comparatively low-cost
replacement for 24-hour human security, and certain foreign countries
where government officials might prefer guards that will never revolt."
-- US Air magazine
--
-- JP Massar, Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA
-- ihnp4!godot!massar, massar@think.com.arpa
-- 617-876-1111inc@fluke.UUCP (Gary Benson) (01/08/86)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** > "A much more sinister arrival on the robot scene is named Prowler. > Created by Robot Defense Systems in Colorado, Prowler has been designed > for use as a sentry to guard ... sites where security is important. When > made available ...this ... device will carry microcomputers, software and > sensors capable of locating intruders. > Chillingly, buyers will be able to arm Prowler with machine guns and > grenade launchers; they'll also be able to program the robot to fire at > will. The manufacturer claims that interest in Prowler has been high, > both among domestic companies who see it as a comparatively low-cost > replacement for 24-hour human security, and certain foreign countries > where government officials might prefer guards that will never revolt." > > -- US Air magazine > -- JP Massar, Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA Not to worry, JP. As anyone who's read Isaac Isamov can tell you, the First Law of Robotics will always prevail. *IF* Prowlers are ever built, they would experience the equivalent of a nervous breakdown the first time they were confronted with a situation where their programming ran contrary to one of the the Three Laws. -- Ensign Benson -Space Cadet- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-The Digital Circus, Sector R-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_