San Francisco officials change their mind about allowing police to use armed robots to apprehend criminals

At the end of November, it became known that the San Francisco Police Department wanted permission to use armed robots. A few days later it received it, but now city officials have reversed their decision.

Here's What We Know

The police do not have armed robots in their arsenal. The use of booby-trapped robotic bomb squads to disorient the perpetrator was considered as an option. This is how six years ago police eliminated the killer of five law enforcement officers in Dallas.

After the San Francisco City Council authorized the use of robotic lethal weapons, there were immediately disgruntled human rights activists. They called the authorities' decision an example of police militarization and said that the use of armed robots endangered people's lives.

Some members of the City Council listened to the arguments. As a result, San Francisco authorities reversed their decision. But it is possible that this is a temporary measure, as council members will continue to discuss the issue.

Source: The Verge

Image: PCMag