Drones were just the beginning
You may have heard that the Ukrainians are fighting a surprisingly successful war against that big, mean Russia with little robot airplanes. Flying drones are watching and controlling battel grounds, eliminating multimillion dollar tanks with 500 dollar drones. The Ukrainians have developed about 100 varieties of drones for all kinds of military and civilian purposes. Since 2022 the U.S. Army has provided Kyiv with robotic dogs that could aid in clearing minefields and in the disposal of other ordnance. The robotic canines were seen as being just as effective as living, breathing dogs at sniffing out landmines, and they would not be distracted. Most importantly, the innovation meant that real dogs wouldn’t have to risk life and paw in the process. Two years later, Ukrainian soldiers from the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade are taking to Telegram to share results from field testing of a robotic dog in combat conditions. While robotic dogs have already been used as guards to patrol the perimeter of a military base, the Ukrainian robotic dogs have been employed as scouts near villages on the frontlines around Toretsk.
Ukraine could soon unleash robot dogs on its front lines, replacing soldiers for perilous missions like spying on Russian trenches or detecting mines. At a demonstration in an undisclosed part of Ukraine, the metallic dog known as model “BAD One” stood up, crouched, ran and jumped according to commands transmitted by its operator, like the video below. stealthy and agile, they could soon become an invaluable ally on the front line for an Ukrainian army that is short on manpower to repel the Russian invasion, its makers said. Useful the robot dog can also be used to carry up to 15 pounds of ammunition or medicines to hot spots on the battlefield. “I can’t say how many we deployed” in Ukraine, Yuri said, adding: “But it will have a significant impact on the operations and increase the safety of soldiers.” Low on the ground and therefore difficult to detect, the robot dogs can use thermal imaging to inspect enemy trenches or the inside of buildings in combat zones. The device used in the demonstration has a battery that powers it for around two hours. If captured or wounded the robot dog’s memory can be remotely erased.
Cyber Sillies
Isn’t it kind of patronizing, that a computer asks you to prove you’re not a robot?
I had a terrible dream of a dystopian future where robots controlled every aspect of our lives.
Luckily, I was awakened by my Tesla.
I hate it when my black friend disappears in the dark,
My white friend in snow,
My Chinese friend in sand,
And my Russia friend in drone strikes.
The Japanese invented a thief catching robot. After running successful lab trials they decided to test it. After deploying in Tokyo the robot caught 35 thieves in 24 hours.
Much impressed, the Brits ordered the robot for themselves. After deploying in London the robot busted 65 thieves under 8 hours.
The Americans, also impressed, ordered the robot and tried it in Chicago. After deploying the robot for about 30 minutes… the robot got stolen.
January 30th Birthdays
1995 – Danielle Campbell, 1998 – Jordana Beatty, 1990 – Elza Gonzalez, 1937 – Vanessa Redgrave
1882 – Franklin Roosevelt, 1951 – Phil Collins, 1930 – Gene Hackman, 1974 – Christian Bail