Earlier this month the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to allow police robots to use lethal force in certain situations. But after this decision received criticism from human rights groups and groups opposed to police violence, a second vote was held and this time permission was rejected.
In previous decisions, the power to kill was only allowed if the lives of police officers and civilians were threatened by the suspect. It is also only allowed if no other alternative can be taken by the police. Finally, only a number of high-ranking police officers have the authority to give orders to kill.
San Francisco police have 17 robots used for bomb disposal and surveillance purposes. It can be equipped with weapons if needed. So for now the Robocop movie scenario that allows robots to kill will remain fiction.
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CYBER LIFE