Boston Dynamics is known for videos of its humanoid robot performing backflips, uncomfortable dances, and various forms of horrifyingly aggressive parkour.
Boston Dynamics Dynamics joined five other robotics makers in a pledge not to weaponize their advanced-mobility, general-purposerobots or the software that makes them tick. The companies said they would carefully review their customers' intended application for the bots and promised to explore features that could possibly mitigate risks. The companies wrote that weaponization of advanced robotics raises new risks of harm and serious ethical issues and could hurt public trust in the technology.
The robot makers encouraged policymakers to explore ways to promote the safe use ofrobots and encouraged other researchers and developers to join the pledge
The companies wrote that they are excited about a bright future in which humans androbots work side by side to tackle some of the world's challenges.
Boston Robotics has tried before to convince the public that it isn't weapons of war. A group of artists attached a paintball gun to the company's dog-like "spot" robot. The event allowed viewers to use a gun to decimate an art gallery. Boston Dynamics condemned any depiction of its technology that promotes violence, harm, or intimidation, and released a statement condemning the artist's use of Spot. That doesn't include depictions of machines standing side by side with cops or military forces
Boston Dynamics stated that provocative art can push useful dialogue about the role of technology in our lives. Spot is misrepresented and how it is being used to benefit our daily lives.
The open letter once again called out the tinkerers who modified the robots with weapons. There was an urgent need to publish the letter due to public concern caused by a small number of people who have publicly publicized their makeshift efforts to weaponize commercially availablerobots.
Boston Dynamics doesn't allow the use of its robots to hurt other people. The company's end-user license agreement instructs partners to only use its products in ways that benefit humanity or to perform jobs that are harmful to humans. In other words, Boston Dynamics has a clause similar to the one found in the internet giant.
Law enforcement agencies and military units are already testing and using Boston Dynamicsrobots all around the world. A Boston Dynamics Spot robot uses a long-reaching claw to open a door in Massachusetts.
Would Massachusetts police violate Boston Dynamics principles if they shot and killed an innocent man after Spot opened their door? Spot could give out the bullets used by the infantry rifleman. The New York Police Department could use the robot to surveil and single out people it intended to stop and frisk. New York residents forced the NYPD to cut its contract with Boston Dynamics short last year after videos surfaced of the robot entering a public housing project.
A Boston Dynamics spokesman referred Gizmodo to a post on the company's ethical principles when asked if its law enforcement partnerships could possibly contradict its claims. The company is committed to police departments, fire brigades, and the military who they say can userobots to keep people out of harm's way.
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