The Australian government has launched a competition to encourage AI and robotics specialists to design military robots to help with the Australian army's "dirty work".
The multi-million dollar competition is being promoted to create "intelligent and fully autonomous" robotic fighting systems that can assist the military in urban combat zones.
The competition has been put together by Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation working with the US military.
Military research grants
Australian defence officials told the BBC that "the aim is to reduce casualties in urban areas where fighting is unpredictable and treacherous" with senior officials in Canberra hoping robotic vehicles will help with the army's "dirty work".
The competition is offering robotics and AI experts research grants of $1.6m (£984,000).
Five short-listed candidates will attend the Land Warfare Conference in Brisbane in November 2010, to present their ideas for killer robots and artificial intelligence to find out who wins 'the prize'.
Via BBC
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
sgtheadhole
July 14th
3. awesome idea!, i dont go outside much and dont live in the city's so this doesnt worry me at all but amuse me!
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ripsnorter
July 14th
2. Good heavens! Anti-rude-words software run amok! Its 'Salt water', but in one word, you idiots! Wonder what it makes of that great northern English town of S****horpe? Or the owners of Panasonic, Matsu****a? Let's see, shall we?
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ripsnorter
July 14th
1. They're kidding, right? Australia's already home to the Box Jellyfish, Taipan, Sal****er Crocodile, Blue Ring Octopus, Stone Fish, Red Back Spider, Brown Snake, Tiger Snake, Great White Shark and Funnel Web Spider. How much more deadly do they want to make the place? They introduced the rabbit and look what happened there!
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