Israeli Firm Unveils Armed Robot to Patrol Volatile Borders

Israeli Firm Unveils Armed Robot to Patrol Volatile Borders
Deputy head of Israel Aerospace Industries autonomous systems division, Rani Avni, speaks during an interview in an IAI facility near the central Israeli city of Lod, on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Sebastian Scheiner/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

LOD, Israel—An Israeli defense contractor on Monday unveiled a remote-controlled armed robot it says can patrol battle zones, track infiltrators, and open fire. The unmanned vehicle is the latest addition to the world of drone technology, which is rapidly reshaping the modern battlefield.

Proponents say such semi-autonomous machines allow armies to protect their soldiers, while critics fear this marks another dangerous step toward robots making life-or-death decisions.