Free The Use of Robots in Warfare Essay Sample
The significant advancement in technology has led to actualization of science fiction. Modern war mission are no longer solely dependent on human soldiers. The use of robots has undergone a series of improvement up to date. The recent advancement may be the most amazing in the field of robots application in warfare. Unmanned predators are in use and are almost the order of the day in all war missions. The engineering of robots as fully autonomous stands out as the most significant achievement in this field. However, the use of robotics in warfare has its drawbacks and its advantages.
In adverse war zones, human risk no longer a hindrance since the modern robot systems can comfortably venture into these places and accomplish the desired mission. In particular, robots have performed extremely better than human soldiers on the battlefield in certain circumstances. The human soldier is naturally limited and therefore, errant to some extent in the course of duty. Law governs human fighters in cases of a behavior that is not acceptable in battlefield practices. Mostly, the human fighters are under the influence of anger, disillusionment and vengeance. This usually results to actions of inhumanity in quest of victory over the adversary. Therefore, use of robots in warfare is not only humane but also justice to human fighters whose tough task is getting more challenging in modern times.
For instance, the team of soldiers charged with the duty of identifying explosive ordnance disposal is at despicable risk. The content loaded into the explosive are fatal unless a soldier is approximately fifty yards from the scene of explosion. Half a mile away is from the scene of explosion is also not safe because they soldier is exposed to serious injuries. A relevant is the jury-rigged bombs incidence in Iraq where an American soldier lost his life in a disheartening way. The explosion was so severe that the teammates could hardly identify any body parts of the deceased.
Robots manufactured have basic engineering that enable them to carry weapons and use lethal force under the control of a human director. There are already applications of predator and reaper unmanned aerial vehicles fully loaded with missiles and directed by a human controller. The Korean demilitarized zone is an excellent example of the development of an armed platform. Such developments are semi-autonomous thus; they lack the capability of making decisions on their own. The decision whether or not to involve an activity lies with the controller. However, there is the need to make these robots fully autonomous so that they can make the necessary lethal decision. This is not a mere achievement with the consideration that human efficiency at times fails terribly. In addition, there is limited time to make the decision on whether to short or to spare. Consequently, it is very challenging for humans to make well-informed decisions in various occurrences occurring in today's battlefield.
Currently, robots that are responsive to emotions have found their way into the market. Similarly, robots that do not show fear, revenge or anger can be engineered to respond in considerable humane manner that even human beings can not in severe circumstances. Moreover, people will never behave in humane way under these conditions yet robots can. This is an ultimate solution to problems in warfare in this century. The considerations made in addressing use of robots in warfare should prioritize its benefits. This is because armed robotic is capable of eliminating noncombatant casualties and various types of damage better than human soldiers. Furthermore, autonomous robots are beneficial to the military as they are better in precision, faster and immune against chemical and biological weapons. All, these advantages facilitate the success of a mission.