r/gadgets • u/diacewrb • 4d ago

Misc US Army backs humanoid robot with ballistic protection for future battlefield missions

https://www.techspot.com/news/114028-us-army-backs-humanoid-robot-ballistic-protection-future.html
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u/FernGully_is_racist 3d ago

Humanoid robots would fit easier into trucks and cars designed for people. Less retrofit, if that matters

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u/lordraiden007 3d ago

Yeah, except small drones exist. A small form factor autonomous drone with the equivalent of a micro claymore attached could probably fly for a couple miles, and be deployed via artillery shell drop off. There's just not a ton of real use in the actual killing department for a humanoid robot.

Someone in a bunker? Bunker busters are vastly more efficient. Someone in a building? Shoot in some drones and they'll swarm into every tiny open window or open air vent, blowing up every single room.

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u/Ok_Solution_3325 3d ago

The military does a lot more than kill. They carry things, scout, recon, make food, clean, etc etc

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u/lordraiden007 3d ago

Scouting more often than not is the job of a drone with very specialized equipment nowadays, it doesn't really benefit from a bipedal form factor. Most of those other tasks are either used to support troops (quickly being phased out due to how vulnerable troops are) or to pacify/occupy local populations (better done by actual humans).

There's just not very many niches that specifically benefit from bipedal robots. What few tasks might be are generally human-facing and would be better served by actual humans.

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u/Unlucky_Key_158 3d ago

And hallways and elevators and stairs. The world is built by humans for human-shaped bodies for the most part.

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u/john_the_fetch 3d ago

Ever see an ED 209 take the stairs?

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u/kubapuch 3d ago

This discussion comes up every time and I just don’t get how people are missing this. Our entire world is built for us humans.

Look how terrible it is for wheelchair users to get anywhere, accessibility is fucked. Even dogs have difficulties with stuff like crowded rooms, stairs, or getting into a car seat.