Remote-controlled drones
(not controlled by AI)
play a major role in current precision warfare against individuals.
(Contrast with the simple
carpet bombing
of previous warfare.)
The remote-controlled
Predator
is in widespread use in combat,
for reconnaissance
and attacks on small targets (individuals, vehicles, etc.)
The remote-controlled
Switchblade
drone
by
AeroVironment
is a tiny "suicide" drone that can be carried in a backpack.
It is launched from a tube, and can be steered onto a target,
where it explodes.
It is already in use in combat.
Parrot AR.Drone.
Affordable quadrotor "drone"
that can be remote-controlled with iOS and Android devices.
Some people have programmed it to make it autonomous.
The Predator.
The
X-47B
is a larger unmanned bomber
with extra capabilities (stealth capability, invisible to radar,
faster, aircraft carrier launch and landing, midair refuelling).
Swarm of nano quadrotors.
Autonomous (not remote controlled).
From GRASP Lab, University of Pennsylvania.
Car crashes
- 0.5 million dead a year worldwide,
25 million dead so far (since the 1890s).
Road accidents are the single largest killer of men aged 15 to 44.
If we could stop this,
AI could save millions of lives in the next century.
Traffic flow
could be much faster with software-controlled cars.
The above could be done - but would probably be too terrifying a ride for the humans!
A more synchronised (but still software-controlled) flow would be easier on the humans' nerves.
From Peter Stone.
On Internet since 1987.
