Israel unveils the Viper

[RawMaterials]

Israel unveils portable hunter-killer robot


JERUSALEM - An Israeli defence firm today unveiled a portable robot billed as being capable of entering most combat zones alone and engaging enemies with an onboard armory that includes a machine-pistol and grenades.

The VIPeR, roughly the size of a small television, was invented as part of Israel's efforts to develop weaponry that could reduce the risks to its forces from hand-to-hand fighting against Palestinian or Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.




The manufacturer, Elbit Systems Ltd., said that the VIPeR's small size and dual treads enable it to move "undeterred by stairs, rubble, dark alleys, caves or narrow tunnels."

As well as bomb-sniffing and bomb disposal equipment, the VIPeR can carry an Uzi machine-pistol or plant a grenade. The weapons would be aimed using an onboard video camera.

According to Elbit, which has close links with the Defence Ministry, Israel plans to deploy the VIPeR among its infantry units after field tests. The robot could also be of interest to foreign police units or US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10427927


great this is the last thing we need.

Next step Terminator

[Robb]

1. It's the Roomba from hell

Notably not autonomous, however.

[redqueen]

9. Hah, no.

Eventually, though...

[Drum]

2. Wow, a terrifying thought...

NOT!

[notadmblnd]

3. looks like it could be taken out easily

with a sledge hammer.

[primavera]

17. Hell, just paintball the camera lens - n/t

[azurnoir]

4. What happens if it's "captured"? n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. It shits a grenade, apparently. -nt

[katsy]

5. So, it can go into highly populated areas where the bad guys are...

and distinguish between enemy combatants and innocents?

[The Stranger]

7. Where the "bad guys" are?

"Bad guys"? Excuse me?

[katsy]

10. The question was

:sarcasm:

I should have so stated.

"Bad Guys" can be anyone. Possibly even us while protesting against government policy one day.

Clean kills. No human judgement or conscience necessary.

I find these types of weapons odious and would prefer pitting combatant leaders in an arena to kill each other with their bare hands.

[MrPrax]

11. Is it different with humans?

In those mass protests -- the cops are all wrapped in kevlar, move as a single unit and can't hear your screams because the helmets they wear are barking orders to them to stay in formation.


This is what the Machine looks like in Prague


This is what the Machine looks like in Scotland


This is what the Machine looks like in Bolivia


This is what the Machine looks like in Seattle


The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine was a substantial alteration (called an "amendment") of the Monroe Doctrine by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. Roosevelt's extension of the Monroe Doctrine asserted the right of the United States to intervene in Latin American nations' affairs. In its altered state, the Monroe Doctrine would now consider Latin America as an agency for expanding U.S. commercial interests in the region, along with its original stated purpose of keeping European hegemony from the hemisphere. In addition, the corollary proclaimed the explicit right of the United States to intervene in Latin American conflicts exercising an international police power.

Why send unreliable flesh -- they might feel empathy to those who they oppress...

[primavera]

29. Nice post, MrPrax

A good and thoughtful point.

[Sterling]

16. bad guys.

Guys trying to kill Israeli soldiers? I have started to believe that the "insurgents" in Iraq are bad guys. I did not think so at the beginning of the war but it is now clear that the people doing the killing over there are thee worst of the worst types of murdering criminals. They kill Innocent people on purpose on a daily basis. Those are "bad guys".

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Hmm.

"Guys trying to kill Israeli soldiers? I have started to believe that the "insurgents" in Iraq are bad guys. I did not think so at the beginning of the war but it is now clear that the people doing the killing over there are thee worst of the worst types of murdering criminals. They kill Innocent people on purpose on a daily basis. Those are "bad guys"."

And when US troops kill innocent people, it's "collateral damage" because we're the good guys?

[Sterling]

34. We don't intentionally murder civilians over what religion they are

among other countless atrocities we don't make policy like the "insurgents". Do you even pay attention to what is happening in Iraq or do you just post on message boards about ideology? The fact is that what these "freedom fighters" as you would like to see them are spending most of their time doing is murdering other Iraqi's in the cruelest fashion.

Your agenda blinds you to the reality of what is happening. The reality that because the Iraqi's could not come together they will now suffer in ways that the US could never inflict on the country. Eventually you will get your wish and we will stop trying to keep the peace in Iraq and leave. That will work out much better for us than it will the average Iraqi.

[The Stranger]

22. So let me see if I have this straight.

The U.S. invades Iraq killing tens or hundreds of thousands of people, and the invasion was based on Neocon lies.

The Iraqis (who, obviously live in the country invaded) fight against the invasion.

According to you, the Iraqis fighting the U.S. in Iraq are the "bad guys."

How'm I doin'?

[pampango]

23. Can't speak for Sterling.

For me the guys who fight against the invasion by attacking our soldiers (the occupiers) are not nearly as "bad" (though is I were a soldier or a family member of one, I probably wouldn't be as generous) as those ruthless butchers who explode bombs in markets, schools, and religious procession with the express intent of killing as many civilians as possible.

[Megahurtz]

24. And the Israelis are Innocent.

:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

[nick303]

28. Yes. The bad guys.

[The Stranger]

33. "Bad guys" is a term usually reserved for use by toddlers.

It reveals a true inability to engage in real-life complexities. Or perhaps a refusal to so engage.

[bemildred]

6. How much apiece, how many to operate it, and how long will it last?

It doesn't look to me like it would take much to stop it.

[nolabels]

8. Looks susceptible to a large bucket of water also

Reminds one of them waterproof watches that are not really waterproof

[upi402]

39. lol

:rofl:
i wanne see an old woman tip it over with a broom and huck it back at a soldier, for some reason.

[madrchsod]

12. meanwhile israel slowly sinks into a third world

status in it`s social welfare programs.. nothing get`s in the way of feeding the military machine

[azurnoir]

14. Sounds eerily familiar

kinda' like us or US

[NJCher]

38. whaddaya think?

Social Security some kinda' federal program?



Cher

[Ian David]

13. Duplicate: Israel's Killer 'Bot: Safe Enough for War?

Israel's Killer 'Bot: Safe Enough for War?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=124&topic_id=168930&mesg_id=168930

[winter999]

15. Kinda reminds me of that Tom Sellek/Gene Simmons movie, Runaway.

Was I the only one to see that movie? Tho it does look like a prop from the Terminator movies. I want to see tiny clay skulls under its tread.

[Zhade]

19. Great, when Skynet goes self-aware everyone will blame the Jews!

</geek>

[stormymonday]

36. Skynet actually exists

It is a military satellite system run by the UK Ministry of Defence on behalf of NATO and has been around since the 1970's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skynet_5

A new one is due to be launched this week

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6434773.stm

nb - Interesting that it has now been 'privatised' into that huge unaccountable global corporate war machine that is destroying this planet..

[foo_bar]

21. did they salvage a hamster ball for the hubcaps?

I bet a roomba could kick its ass, or at least flip it over.

[Megahurtz]

26. Rofl!

:rofl:

[Squatch]

25. Just don't connect it to Skynet.

:scared: :scared:

[daleo]

27. Eventually, someone will come up with Daleks

Then we're all screwed.

[tkmorris]

32. Exterminate! nt

[kitty1]

30. Order now; they'll be sold out by Christmas

[David__77]

31. I wansn't sure if it was a car or a torture tool. With a name like Viper, who knows?

While it's not a torture tool, it is surely a killer.

[Lurking Dem]

40. Well you know

Dodge DID used to use a Star of David on their sign. I have a tin replica of one in my garage. Next to my Viper. :evilgrin: I have often thought that car would be perfect if I could arm it.

[Hand]

35. "I am the Viper, I've come to vipe your vindows!" nt

[annabanana]

37. (that takes me back!)

To Girl Scout Camp campfires, actually. . . lol

[majorjohn]

41. looks like a piecashit - n/t