If it can move around, people are going to strap a gun to it. That’s just how we roll.
MSCHF, an art group/marketing collective/”ideas factory” known for viral stunts, stories, and products, is hosting an event that will let random people from across the internet control their Spot robot for two minutes at a time, in order to shoot up their gallery with a paintball gun, in an attempt to prove that Spot’s adorable appearance is all just a cunning facade.
Boston Dynamics is upset.
— Boston Dynamics (@BostonDynamics) February 20, 2021
Whatever Boston Dynamics’ policies and intentions for their robots, it’s not a massive leap to suggest that Spot might end up packing offensive capabilities in the future. We’ve already seen the robo-dogs working alongside law enforcement officers in Massachusetts, USA, and they are funded by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). Also, the idea that nobody with ill-intent will ever get their hands on one is a bit ridiculous.
According to MSCHF, when Boston Dynamics found out what the art group was planning to do, they offered to send them two free Spots if they agreed not to go through with it. Which, obviously, just made the group more determined to do it (because: Art).
Spot’s Rampage will be live at 20:00 SAST tonight, 24 February. If this has you stressed out, here’s some pro-bot propaganda to soothe your soul.
Via The Verge.