Posted on 07/19/2009 9:33:11 PM PDT by atomic conspiracy
The Pentagon has shown it has a great appetite for drones and robots -- everything from missile-firing UAVs to prototype patrol-bots guarding air base perimeters.
But a Maryland company working on a program for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has the idea of giving the robots their own appetites, letting them feed on biomass as a means of fueling themselves.
But as the image of flesh-eating drones refueling off the battlefield dead has spread in recent days, Cyclone Power Technologies of Florida, the company developing the robot's engine, has issued a statement about the Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot's -- aka EATR -- diet.
It is vegetarian, the company said in a press statement released Thursday, in response to stories with headlines such as "Dawn of the corpse-eating robots?" and "Pentagon contracts company for flesh-eating robots."
"We completely understand the public's concern about futuristic robots feeding on the human population, but that is not our mission," Harry Schoell, chief executive officer of Cyclone, said in the statement. "We are focused on demonstrating that our engines can create usable, green power from plentiful, renewable plant matter. The commercial applications alone for this earth-friendly energy solution are enormous."
EATR is being developed by Robotic Technology Inc. of Maryland under a program sponsored by DARPA. EATR is envisioned as a robotic platform able to conduct long-range, long-endurance missions without the need for manual or conventional refueling, Cyclone explained in its statement.
Cyclone said RTI's EATER will be able to find, ingest and extract energy from biomass -- that is, "twigs, grass clippings and wood chips -- small, plant-based items for which RTI's robotic technology is designed to forage.
"Desecration of the dead is a war crime under Article 15 of the Geneva Conventions, and is certainly not something sanctioned by DARPA, Cyclone or RTI," the company said.
Awww.
Bender, someone is trying to impersonate you, buddy. And it ain’t Fry.
The renewable-alternative-windfarm-solar-twigs-and-leaves-grey-haired-old-loser-hippie energy crowd should just love these drones.
But suppose they aren't dead...?
We can program them to feed exclusively on turbans and birkenstocks.
I really like the way you think.
Awwwww, I was kind of looking forward to it. It had a Philip K Dick feel to it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Variety
I am shocked by the Robotophobic comments on this thread.
Something tells me that using living meat as a viable fuel source IN THE FIELD is just a bit beyond their ability...for now.
> “We completely understand the public’s concern about futuristic robots feeding on the human population, but that is not our mission,” Harry Schoell, chief executive officer of Cyclone, said in the statement.
Fool. Killer robots that eat people would be a frightening addition to any country’s arsenal. Terrifying. Vegetarian robots don’t send the same chill down one’s spine.
Why would this guy deny building killer man-eating robots? I can’t think of anything more laughable than that!
This story — sound like a challenge? Got some time?
I think this guy is protesting to much. That makes me suspicious. Now I wonder when they will come for me, with those horrible metal claws and shiny gnashing teeth. Perhaps its time to invest in Robot Insurance.
Certainly not me! Man-eating is not my bag. I like... 
gals!
Lol!
That’s a good way to end my day =D
> Perhaps its time to invest in Robot Insurance.
(grin!) Not me — I’m going to invest in a 1/2” socket set and an oxyacetylene cutting torch!
We need a whole army of flesh eating robots, no prisoners, just send out the drones, kill and consume the enemy!
How about a 6 foot man eating chicken ???
Too bad.
I was hoping they’d set a bunch of these off in D.C.
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