First ever study of how robots attack tests their murderous ways
By Jeremy Hsu Posted 05.07.2010 at 12:32 pm 10 Comments

Injury by Robot I've got a comically large knife, and I'm not afraid to use it! DLR

Robots run amok have occasionally maimed or killed industrial workers, giving German researchers cause to wonder about a future where humans host robots in every home. In their study, the BBC reports, a robot arm was programmed to strike, stab and puncture using an array of household tools that included a steak knife, kitchen knife, scissors and screwdriver. Stabs and cuts inflicted on a silicone lump and the leg from a dead pig were deemed potentially lethal.

Human volunteers also subjected their arms to the tender mercies of the slasher bots, but only when a prototype safety system was engaged. The collision detection system used torque sensors to spot when it hits a different substance and freeze in mid-motion, so that damage to the human subjects was limited.


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Tags

Technology, Jeremy Hsu, blades, knives, robot homicide, robot killers, robot-inflicted injuries, robots, safety, slashers, stab, Video

We're still a bit puzzled as to why human volunteers were in this experiment at all, when there's perfectly good ballistic dummies being eviscerated every week on Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior. But perhaps the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German aerospace agency felt human arms would represent a less expensive option.

The study was presented at the 2010 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, held in Alaska earlier this month. We're all for developing safety systems that engage for robots too dumb to recognize Asimov's Laws of Robotics, but we'd still recommend carving your own steak in the future.

[via BBC]

10 Comments

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firedude20123
05/07/10 at 2:34 pm

no way in hell would i ever put my own arm there!!!!

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michael taylor
05/07/10 at 2:49 pm

wow...that is the dumbest thing ever

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Hherbson
05/07/10 at 8:17 pm

Yes computers can mess up, thats the purpose of the safety system! In case you cant reason it out, they probably tested it hundreds of times before using a human. Also, they used a human for visual impact and trust in the safety system.

Sorry for the intrusion professor, i'll let you get back to hocking your windshield repair.

BTW, will you come to Cincinnati and look at a stone chip in my windshield? We dont have any people that can repair glass in Ohio.......

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Cetus93
05/07/10 at 9:18 pm

What a waste of time and money.

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Kim - Talkingde...
05/08/10 at 8:20 am

Lets hope that robots that eventually work in our homes, do not have this ability.

www.1robotcompanion.com

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extremechiton
05/08/10 at 9:21 pm

k.... creepy can we use collision detection in cars?

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Whys333
05/10/10 at 7:59 pm

So what did you do at work today?

I made a robot stab pig carcases, over and over. Then I dared it to stab me.

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teabags

from houston, texas

05/10/10 at 8:31 pm

yeah..another example of smart human thinking, teach them how soft and vulnerable flesh really is..especially human flesh.....better hope theres no malfunction in the hardware or software to make it forget about the safety "do not stab or slash the human master" aspect

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lokimotion
05/12/10 at 9:04 am

That is such a waste. seriously

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HAZE
10/15/10 at 8:10 am

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, WTF


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