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February 18, 2015 8:43 AM Subscribe
The Marines Are Building Robotic War Balls
A research team from Stamford, Conn. has developed an amphibious drone that they are currently testing with the Marines. The GuardBot is a robot ball that swims over water at about 4 miles per hour and then rolls along the beach, at as much as a 30-degree incline and 20 miles per hour.
They missed a trick by not coming up with some stilted acronym that comes out as ROVER.
posted by acb at 8:45 AM on February 18, 2015 [27 favorites]
posted by acb at 8:45 AM on February 18, 2015 [27 favorites]
Round Object Veering Everywhere Randomly?
posted by quinndexter at 8:49 AM on February 18, 2015 [42 favorites]
posted by quinndexter at 8:49 AM on February 18, 2015 [42 favorites]
I can't wait to see the Tactical Deployment Scrotum.
posted by sobarel at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by sobarel at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2015 [9 favorites]
This should be useful against our coastal enemies that haven't yet invented netting, trenches, or wide pieces of lumber.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2015 [33 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2015 [33 favorites]
Do not taunt Robotic War Ball.
posted by entropicamericana at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2015 [37 favorites]
posted by entropicamericana at 8:50 AM on February 18, 2015 [37 favorites]
** OFFROAD MORPH BALL ACQUIRED **
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:51 AM on February 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:51 AM on February 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
Toclafane.
posted by oflinkey at 8:54 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by oflinkey at 8:54 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm glad the first post here was a Prisoner reference!
That said, as Normandy showed, taking a beachhead is a very bloody and intensive task (or attacking any fortification where there's no cover, sitting ducks etc).
Not as sure how relevant that is for modern warfare, with air/missile etc to clear out shore defenses etc..
posted by k5.user at 8:55 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
That said, as Normandy showed, taking a beachhead is a very bloody and intensive task (or attacking any fortification where there's no cover, sitting ducks etc).
Not as sure how relevant that is for modern warfare, with air/missile etc to clear out shore defenses etc..
posted by k5.user at 8:55 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
This should be useful against our coastal enemies that haven't yet invented netting, trenches, or wide pieces of lumber.
posted by RobotVoodooPower
ಠ_ಠ
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:56 AM on February 18, 2015 [13 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower
ಠ_ಠ
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:56 AM on February 18, 2015 [13 favorites]
wide pieces of lumber
I heard North Korea has the ability to deploy a plank with a nail through it within 45 minutes.
posted by sobarel at 8:57 AM on February 18, 2015 [25 favorites]
I heard North Korea has the ability to deploy a plank with a nail through it within 45 minutes.
posted by sobarel at 8:57 AM on February 18, 2015 [25 favorites]
It's more of a "spy ball" than a "war ball"--that is, it doesn't seem to be being imagined as a device to carry arms of any kind, so much as a device to carry cameras into hard to reach places. As such it looks pretty useful in a range of applications--not necessarily military.
posted by yoink at 8:58 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by yoink at 8:58 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's more of a "spy ball" than a "war ball"-
From the article:
posted by Fizz at 8:58 AM on February 18, 2015 [8 favorites]
From the article:
When Defense One asked if the GuardBot could carry explosives rather than detection or camera equipment, Muhlrad answered simply: “Yes.”ಠ_ಠ
posted by Fizz at 8:58 AM on February 18, 2015 [8 favorites]
These balls are making me testy! If they don't stop bouncing and jiggling, I swear I'm gonna shove this treaty up their... Wait a minute, where do you shove things up a ball?
posted by Drinky Die at 8:59 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Drinky Die at 8:59 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Just another marine boasting about the size of his robot balls.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:00 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by octobersurprise at 9:00 AM on February 18, 2015
The goal is to establish a Tactical Underfoot Presence that causes enemy combantants to constantly trip and drop things, thus demoralizing them.
posted by dephlogisticated at 9:02 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dephlogisticated at 9:02 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
k5.user: "Not as sure how relevant that is for modern warfare, with air/missile etc to clear out shore defenses etc.."
Think more intimate scenarios. This eyeball dronewad roving the streets of an occupied town, quietly veering in and out of buildings, FLIRring through walls and sending telemetry back to command.
posted by boo_radley at 9:04 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Think more intimate scenarios. This eyeball dronewad roving the streets of an occupied town, quietly veering in and out of buildings, FLIRring through walls and sending telemetry back to command.
posted by boo_radley at 9:04 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
When they're deployed, a couple of ships anchor a bit offshore with big speakers pointed towards the beach.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:04 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:04 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
The bumbleball of DOOM!
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 9:06 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 9:06 AM on February 18, 2015
Man, we've really been putting the supervillainy budget to good use recently.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:06 AM on February 18, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 9:06 AM on February 18, 2015 [9 favorites]
Marble madness.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:07 AM on February 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:07 AM on February 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
There's a much newer video from December that wasn't included in the article, probably due to its Icy Hot Stuntaz production style.
posted by adrianhon at 9:08 AM on February 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by adrianhon at 9:08 AM on February 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
they'll never invade canada with these - *calls out hundreds of guys with hockey sticks*
or scotland - "fore!"
posted by pyramid termite at 9:08 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
or scotland - "fore!"
posted by pyramid termite at 9:08 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
HU-MANS, WHY WILL YOU NOT PLAY VOLLEYBALL WITH WARBALL? WARBALL ONLY WISHES TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL. WHY DO YOU NOT PLAY WITH WARBALL?
posted by dellsolace at 9:09 AM on February 18, 2015 [24 favorites]
posted by dellsolace at 9:09 AM on February 18, 2015 [24 favorites]
Semper Pi
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2015 [20 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2015 [20 favorites]
When Defense One asked if the GuardBot could carry explosives rather than detection or camera equipment, Muhlrad answered simply: “Yes.”
Mr. President, we must not allow a suicide bomber gap!
posted by Naberius at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2015
Mr. President, we must not allow a suicide bomber gap!
posted by Naberius at 9:11 AM on February 18, 2015
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by orme at 9:13 AM on February 18, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by orme at 9:13 AM on February 18, 2015 [11 favorites]
orme: "Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure."
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by boo_radley at 9:16 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by boo_radley at 9:16 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
All it needs is a minor malfunction and it's ready for wacky adventures with Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy.
posted by dr_dank at 9:16 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by dr_dank at 9:16 AM on February 18, 2015
Think more intimate scenarios. This eyeball dronewad roving the streets of an occupied town, quietly veering in and out of buildings, FLIRring through walls yt and sending telemetry back to command.
When Defense One asked if the GuardBot could carry explosives rather than detection or camera equipment, Muhlrad answered simply: “Yes.”
When they marry the ball-bot to the aerial drone, such that it can fly like an insect and then land and roll around, we'll have knife-missile 0.1a.
Four little flip-out rotor-fans would do it, I guess, using current quadcopter tech.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:17 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
When Defense One asked if the GuardBot could carry explosives rather than detection or camera equipment, Muhlrad answered simply: “Yes.”
When they marry the ball-bot to the aerial drone, such that it can fly like an insect and then land and roll around, we'll have knife-missile 0.1a.
Four little flip-out rotor-fans would do it, I guess, using current quadcopter tech.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:17 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
"The wars of the future will not be fought on the battlefield or at sea. They will be fought in space, or possibly on top of a very tall mountain the beach. In either case, most of the actual fighting will be done by small big robots. And as you go forth today remember always your duty is clear: To build and maintain those robots."
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:19 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:19 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Our Elders tell of a young ball much like this. He bounced three metres in the air. Then he bounced 1.8 metres in the air. Then, he bounced four metres in the air.
posted by quinndexter at 9:25 AM on February 18, 2015 [20 favorites]
posted by quinndexter at 9:25 AM on February 18, 2015 [20 favorites]
How could the not have gone, um, balls out, equipped them with tooth-filled gaping maws and called them "The Langoliers"? Very disappointing.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 9:27 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Hairy Lobster at 9:27 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Schwetty or GTFO
posted by entropone at 9:42 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by entropone at 9:42 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'd rather spend my money on excellent, local peaches. They are vaguely round.
posted by Oyéah at 9:42 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 9:42 AM on February 18, 2015
Man I totally had one of these when I was a kid ,I'm sure I never thought of weaponizing it. In action it looks like the war ball but a bit smaller.
posted by boilermonster at 9:43 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by boilermonster at 9:43 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Like drones, this stuff is going to be cute roughly right up until it gets good enough to start slaughtering civilians and suppressing demonstrations with.
posted by brennen at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by brennen at 9:44 AM on February 18, 2015 [9 favorites]
An interesting thought experiment applies when you think about what happens when they give these to the police. (Unlike air drones, there'd be no need for FAA approval on these, but maybe they'd need to be street legal? etc. That in itself is interesting to think about, and well worth considering if they'd be obsolete by the time the police get them or more sophisticated.)
It's easy to imagine the police rolling one down the sidewalk near your house, rolling through a crowd of protesters, or using one on patrol at the park or airport. The fact that they're scalable provides a lot of scenarios - 10 cm could get them into a lot of places - until, you know, someone squashes it. Like all scenarios with technology, there's good things (maybe less shootings and need for less cops?) and bad (like one taking pics and spraying tear gas as it rolls through protesters). Or creative uses, like a city with water rationing using them them to patrol the streets observing people watering their lawns on non-approved days.
posted by barchan at 9:45 AM on February 18, 2015
It's easy to imagine the police rolling one down the sidewalk near your house, rolling through a crowd of protesters, or using one on patrol at the park or airport. The fact that they're scalable provides a lot of scenarios - 10 cm could get them into a lot of places - until, you know, someone squashes it. Like all scenarios with technology, there's good things (maybe less shootings and need for less cops?) and bad (like one taking pics and spraying tear gas as it rolls through protesters). Or creative uses, like a city with water rationing using them them to patrol the streets observing people watering their lawns on non-approved days.
posted by barchan at 9:45 AM on February 18, 2015
Fill it with armed, angry hamsters and I'll be impressed.
posted by dowcrag at 9:47 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by dowcrag at 9:47 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
(screaming)
Funny - my first thought was this*.
* Maybe NSFW, if your work has a problem with flying death balls
posted by ryanshepard at 9:55 AM on February 18, 2015
Funny - my first thought was this*.
* Maybe NSFW, if your work has a problem with flying death balls
posted by ryanshepard at 9:55 AM on February 18, 2015
I used to think I could just smash or jam up a robot until we did this SRL 25th anniversary where we all had baseball bats and we were going to do a beat down on one of the Sneaky Soldiers, We had pretty much shattered all our bats within 45 seconds (about 20 of them) and it had no effect. These things were slow and not really very scary but it dawned on me that you can't really fight back even then.
posted by boilermonster at 9:55 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by boilermonster at 9:55 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
I waited a whole two minutes and fifty-eight seconds to see machine guns pop out of the sides. Very disappointing, USMC.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 9:56 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 9:56 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
Our Elders tell of a young ball much like this. He bounced three metres in the air. Then he bounced 1.8 metres in the air. Then, he bounced four metres in the air.
Mr. Ambassador, our people tell the same story.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 9:57 AM on February 18, 2015 [10 favorites]
Mr. Ambassador, our people tell the same story.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 9:57 AM on February 18, 2015 [10 favorites]
Came for the Futurama jokes, was not disappointed.
You folks have a lot of brains, and a lot of chutzpah.
posted by mrgoat at 9:57 AM on February 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
You folks have a lot of brains, and a lot of chutzpah.
posted by mrgoat at 9:57 AM on February 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
INTRUDER ALERT INTRUDER ALERT GET THE HUMANOID GOT THE HUMANOID
posted by klangklangston at 10:04 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by klangklangston at 10:04 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Please gentlemen. We must put an end to the bloodshed. We've all seen too many body bags and ball sacks!
posted by Poldo at 10:09 AM on February 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Poldo at 10:09 AM on February 18, 2015 [7 favorites]
(best.episode.ever.even.including.the.dog.one.and.the.star.trek.one)
posted by Poldo at 10:10 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Poldo at 10:10 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'd be interested to see the 9 foot version, just for the sheer weirdness of it all. Drones and robots like these would make for an interesting remake of Terminator.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:12 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:12 AM on February 18, 2015
How could the not have gone, um, balls out, equipped them with tooth-filled gaping maws and called them "The Langoliers"?
Also:
Do you want screamers? Because this is how we get screamers.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:13 AM on February 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
Also:
Do you want screamers? Because this is how we get screamers.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:13 AM on February 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
I hated those things in Half-Life 2 just because they were so. They were cool in Episode 1, though, where Alyx could reprogram them.
Looks like the Combine licked the whole "explodes in water" bug.
posted by infinitewindow at 10:21 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Looks like the Combine licked the whole "explodes in water" bug.
posted by infinitewindow at 10:21 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Drones and robots like these would make for an interesting remake of Terminator.
Got you covered, homie.
posted by SharkParty at 10:21 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Got you covered, homie.
posted by SharkParty at 10:21 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Wait a minute, where do you shove things up a ball?
The epididymis?
posted by nebulawindphone at 10:22 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
The epididymis?
posted by nebulawindphone at 10:22 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Warballs wobble, but they don't fall down.
posted by ursus_comiter at 10:37 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by ursus_comiter at 10:37 AM on February 18, 2015
SFEAR
Spheroidally Formed Expeditionary Attack Robot
posted by Kabanos at 10:39 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Spheroidally Formed Expeditionary Attack Robot
posted by Kabanos at 10:39 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
or better:
Supercali Fragilistic Expi Alidocious Robot
posted by Kabanos at 10:39 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Supercali Fragilistic Expi Alidocious Robot
posted by Kabanos at 10:39 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Oh, good, a bomb tailor-made to attract delighted children. This will end well.
This should be useful against our coastal enemies that haven't yet invented netting, trenches, or wide pieces of lumber.
Or sand.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:44 AM on February 18, 2015
This should be useful against our coastal enemies that haven't yet invented netting, trenches, or wide pieces of lumber.
Or sand.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:44 AM on February 18, 2015
The ultimate Christmas gift for all the upskirt creepers in your life.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:07 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by gottabefunky at 11:07 AM on February 18, 2015
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:08 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:08 AM on February 18, 2015 [6 favorites]
Mechanical mules, able to leap wide trenches and climb stairs, are deployed by drone quadcopters. Oh, and they have exploding balls.
Don't look for the drivers; they are somewhere in North Dakota, at Section Ender of the compound, in the fourth sub-basement.
This is for your own good. Did someone already mention that resistance is futile?
posted by mule98J at 11:09 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don't look for the drivers; they are somewhere in North Dakota, at Section Ender of the compound, in the fourth sub-basement.
This is for your own good. Did someone already mention that resistance is futile?
posted by mule98J at 11:09 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
They sent a slamhound on Turner's trail in New Delhi, slotted it to his pheromones and the color of his hair. It caught up with him on a street called Chandni Chauk and came scrambling for his rented BMW through a forest of bare brown legs and pedicab tires. Its core was a kilogram of recrystallized hexogene and flaked TNT.
He didn't see it coming. The last he saw of India was the pink stucco facade of a place called the Khush-Oil Hotel.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:10 AM on February 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
He didn't see it coming. The last he saw of India was the pink stucco facade of a place called the Khush-Oil Hotel.
posted by gottabefunky at 11:10 AM on February 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
The ironic thing about all of these bots is that they don't really need for all of the oil they are fighting for.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:18 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:18 AM on February 18, 2015
When Defense One asked if the GuardBot could carry explosives rather than detection or camera equipment, Muhlrad answered simply: “Yes.”
Yes, my first thought was "so what does it do when it gets there"; my second thought was "it explodes." Guh.
Also: not just one of these. THOUSANDS OF THEM.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:23 AM on February 18, 2015
Yes, my first thought was "so what does it do when it gets there"; my second thought was "it explodes." Guh.
Also: not just one of these. THOUSANDS OF THEM.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:23 AM on February 18, 2015
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by Daily Alice at 11:33 AM on February 18, 2015
posted by Daily Alice at 11:33 AM on February 18, 2015
> Like drones, this stuff is going to be cute roughly right up until it gets good enough to start slaughtering civilians and suppressing demonstrations with.
Anyone who thinks stuff like this is being designed with traditional military uses in mind is more optimistic about the future of our society than I am.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:55 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Anyone who thinks stuff like this is being designed with traditional military uses in mind is more optimistic about the future of our society than I am.
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:55 AM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
HU-MANS, WHY WILL YOU NOT PLAY VOLLEYBALL WITH WARBALL? WARBALL ONLY WISHES TO PLAY VOLLEYBALL. WHY DO YOU NOT PLAY WITH WARBALL?
So it's a psychological weapon that goes behind enemy lines and then sealions them to death?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:59 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
So it's a psychological weapon that goes behind enemy lines and then sealions them to death?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:59 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Shouldn't be very long before the FEMA camps set starts decrying curb cuts and wheelchair ramps as mandated enabling infrastructure for the shadow government war balls.
posted by Mitheral at 12:03 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Mitheral at 12:03 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Too bad the enemy has already developed a countermeasure.
posted by Foosnark at 12:08 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Foosnark at 12:08 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Do not mock war ball
posted by aydeejones at 12:08 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by aydeejones at 12:08 PM on February 18, 2015
No, no, no! You don't know what you want! Luigi know what you want. Black-wall tires, they blend into the pavement, but these white-wall tires, they say: "Look at me! Here I am! Love me!
posted by Kabanos at 12:09 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by Kabanos at 12:09 PM on February 18, 2015
A future version would be a good weapon if we ever go up against an army of werewolves.
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:20 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 12:20 PM on February 18, 2015
A squadron of Warballs is deployed to patrol a disaster zone.
Later, the Warballs are found in the parking lot of a Piggly Wiggly seeing which one can get the most air from the speed bumps.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:54 PM on February 18, 2015
Later, the Warballs are found in the parking lot of a Piggly Wiggly seeing which one can get the most air from the speed bumps.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:54 PM on February 18, 2015
I found the video to be heartfelt and an agonizing depiction of the ennui of a screaming metal death ball
posted by angrycat at 1:56 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by angrycat at 1:56 PM on February 18, 2015
I can't wait to see the Tactical Deployment Scrotum.
Honey, you say the sweetest things.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 2:48 PM on February 18, 2015
Honey, you say the sweetest things.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 2:48 PM on February 18, 2015
INTRUDER ALERT INTRUDER ALERT GET THE HUMANOID GOT THE HUMANOID
I played the Vectrex version of that this week.
I hate that ball.
posted by clarknova at 3:41 PM on February 18, 2015
I played the Vectrex version of that this week.
I hate that ball.
posted by clarknova at 3:41 PM on February 18, 2015
I knew this looked familiar. About 29 seconds in ...
posted by Autumn Leaf at 4:16 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by Autumn Leaf at 4:16 PM on February 18, 2015
Someone's been watching too much Terrahawks and is a fan of the Zeroids! Or maybe they were just a fan of Paradroid?
posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:29 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:29 PM on February 18, 2015
Yes, my first thought was "so what does it do when it gets there"; my second thought was "it explodes." Guh.
Next thought: If only there were some faster way of delivering explosives to a target from far away.
posted by sfenders at 4:34 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Next thought: If only there were some faster way of delivering explosives to a target from far away.
posted by sfenders at 4:34 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
"Robots clumped up in tight masses...
Tauntless Happy Fun Ball asses...
Evil AIs spin destruction.
Rolling murder is their function..."
posted by symbioid at 4:53 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Tauntless Happy Fun Ball asses...
Evil AIs spin destruction.
Rolling murder is their function..."
posted by symbioid at 4:53 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
"Robotic war balls" sounds like something you'd find in cybepunk porn, or a story on Amazon for $3
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 4:59 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 4:59 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Next thought: If only there were some faster way of delivering explosives to a target from far away.
My thought: It would be preferable if the weapon's targeting didn't require trigonometry and algebra, and instead used a skill that is easier to teach to grunts.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:08 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
My thought: It would be preferable if the weapon's targeting didn't require trigonometry and algebra, and instead used a skill that is easier to teach to grunts.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:08 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm kind of disappointed with this - only a bit better than 30 kph top speed? Is it the weight from the armour/hardening?
There's a RC toy car that hits 160 kph in under 5 seconds.
Might make sense to spin off the idea for urban paramilitary operations. Use the level of tech that gives the toy its specs, miniaturize the warball design. Add in high resolution GPS/locational awareness. Give it laser range scanners/microwave rader - use it to create a live 3D map of its environment. Shoot that to CIC.
With the locational awareness, you could even tether that to a tracker on the rigger or designate so the drone will maintain a set distance away/follow when not under direct control.
Instead of blowing itself up, give it smoke/gas mines that it can drop. I wonder what the current state of the art is on miniaturized sonics/photonics?
Ohohoh. Got it! Work with Bose and create a brown-noteball and RC that little guy into fortified positions.
posted by porpoise at 7:07 PM on February 18, 2015
There's a RC toy car that hits 160 kph in under 5 seconds.
Might make sense to spin off the idea for urban paramilitary operations. Use the level of tech that gives the toy its specs, miniaturize the warball design. Add in high resolution GPS/locational awareness. Give it laser range scanners/microwave rader - use it to create a live 3D map of its environment. Shoot that to CIC.
With the locational awareness, you could even tether that to a tracker on the rigger or designate so the drone will maintain a set distance away/follow when not under direct control.
Instead of blowing itself up, give it smoke/gas mines that it can drop. I wonder what the current state of the art is on miniaturized sonics/photonics?
Ohohoh. Got it! Work with Bose and create a brown-noteball and RC that little guy into fortified positions.
posted by porpoise at 7:07 PM on February 18, 2015
"and so the Geordie solider said, 'the theiving bast'ards.'"
posted by angerbot at 8:03 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by angerbot at 8:03 PM on February 18, 2015
I'd be interested to see the 9 foot version, just for the sheer weirdness of it all. Drones and robots like these would make for an interesting remake of Terminator.
I bet that one is just a guy running around in a metal ball with heads up display so he can see where he is going.
posted by boilermonster at 8:12 PM on February 18, 2015
I bet that one is just a guy running around in a metal ball with heads up display so he can see where he is going.
posted by boilermonster at 8:12 PM on February 18, 2015
Ummm have they even considered this weapon's effects on wildlife???
posted by Apocryphon at 8:36 PM on February 18, 2015
posted by Apocryphon at 8:36 PM on February 18, 2015
Ummm have they even considered this weapon's effects on wildlife???
They can kill that too.
posted by charlie don't surf at 9:54 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
They can kill that too.
posted by charlie don't surf at 9:54 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is reminiscent of the Panjandrum from WWII, which consisted of explosives sandwiched between two Catherine wheels.
posted by James Scott-Brown at 1:48 AM on February 19, 2015
posted by James Scott-Brown at 1:48 AM on February 19, 2015
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posted by Fizz at 8:45 AM on February 18, 2015 [24 favorites]