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Saturday, May 15, 2021

The French Army Tests the Spot for Recon

Unexpected, but real uses in reconnaissance and supply applications.   And just exposure of the French army and command to future, possibly more autonomous means of warfare.   In another report,  New York City stopped using its test police robodog.  

French Army Testing Boston Dynamics' Robot Dog Spot in Combat Scenarios  By The Verge, April 14, 2021

The robot dog Spot, apparently being tested for reconaissance.The French Army has been using Spot, a quadruped robot built by U.S. firm Boston Dynamics, in military exercises.

France's military used robotics developer Boston Dynamics' four-legged Spot robot in training exercises, raising questions about the robot's future applications.  The French military school École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr described the tests as "raising students' awareness of the challenges of tomorrow," including the "robotization of the battlefield."

A more detailed account by French newspaper Ouest-France said Spot was one of a number of robots tested by students at the École Militaire Interarmes (Combined Arms School), apparently to evaluate their reconnaissance utility.   Spot's terms and conditions prohibit its use "to harm or intimidate any person or animal, as a weapon, or to enable any weapon," and Boston Dynamics' Michael Perry said he is adamantly against the robot's weaponization....'

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