San Francisco will not allow police robots to kill people

San Francisco revokes permission to use robots to neutralize criminals.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has abolished a rule that allowed police to use remote-controlled robots to neutralize dangerous or armed criminals. According to the publication of Engadget, eight members of the council voted in favor of revoking the permit, three voted against.

The decision was withdrawn during the second of two ballots to be held before the norm is sent to city hall for final approval. This is unusual because re-voting is usually a mere formality.

The proposal to use the robots came from the San Francisco Police Department. The permit would allow law enforcement to equip robots with explosives to "contact, incapacitate, or disorientate aggressive, armed, or dangerous suspects." It would be possible to use such robots only after all other methods have failed. But critics of the rule have raised concerns that such robots could be abused.

In early October, six robot companies, including the famous Boston Dynamics, announced that they would not arm their robots or allow others to use them as weapons, because arming robots could "increase the risk of harm and raise ethical questions".