When Mark Tilden tested out a robot in a mine field, he got unexpected results -- from a human:
At the Yuma Test Grounds in Arizona, the autonomous robot, 5 feet
long and modeled on a stick-insect, strutted out for a live-fire test
and worked beautifully, he says. Every time it found a mine, blew it up
and lost a limb, it picked itself up and readjusted to move forward on
its remaining legs, continuing to clear a path through the minefield.
Finally it was down to one leg. Still, it pulled itself forward. Tilden was ecstatic. The machine was working splendidly.
The human in command of the exercise, however -- an Army colonel -- blew a fuse.
The colonel ordered the test stopped.
Why? asked Tilden. What's wrong?
The
colonel just could not stand the pathos of watching the burned, scarred
and crippled machine drag itself forward on its last leg.
This test, he charged, was inhumane.
This story begins a fascinating article by Joel Garreau called "Bots on the Ground," which studies the emotional bond between soldier and . . . yes, robot.
Update: Check out Rob's post on the Bear.