Killing a robot

[marmot]

Factory Robots Killing Humans, Japan Reports
Peter G. Neumann <Neumann@CSL.SRI.COM>
Fri 22 May 87 17:18:46-PDT

A series of mysterious deaths in which industrial robots suddenly attacked
and killed humans is being investigated in Japan, news reports said
yesterday. Ten people have been killed by robots in the last eight years.
In four cases, operating errors were blamed. In the other accidents, the
robots suddenly started working for unexplained reasons, according to
reports. Witnesses listed a number of cases in which the robot suddenly
stretched out its mechanical arms, killing its victim. Experts plan to test
a theory that electromagnetic waves in factories have been responsible for
setting off the sensitive computer mechanisms in the robots.

SF Chronicle 22 May 87, from Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

[We had previously documented the 1981 Kawasaki case, and noted
reports of at least four more (and possibly as many as 19)
robot-related deaths. If we have any readers in the far East who
can tell us what is really happening, please ... PGN]

http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/4.89.html#subj1

[Avalon]

Why is it "torture," rather than "product testing"?

Is it torture to smash crash test dummies into walls, because they don't have a soundtrack programmed into them, and they only look humanoid, not act it?

I watched the video. It tugged strongly at my heart. But I really don't like being manipulated, and these testing actions against the Pleo were clearly anticipated.

Generally I'll go for the most respectful relationship with all entities, including inanimate ones, or even those simulacra like the Pleo. But a lot of the time we talk here about real tortures that people have suffered, and holding a robot dinosaur toy upside down is nowhere as serious as real assaults are. Let's keep some perspective here.

[mentalgongfu2]

marmot, i think that story you posted deserves its own thread.

[mentalgongfu2]

after watching the video, i have to admit (reluctantly, after reading the other posts) that I laughed. I don't think torturing a mechanical dinosaur is anywhere near the real thing, and I'm quite sure I wouldn't laugh at that.