Armed Robots are now being marketed to police departments and SWAT teams for use within the United States. None of the ‘bots are deployed yet, but it seems like it will only be a matter of time.

Armed robots, named SWORDS, have already begun patrolling the streets of Iraq. However, the ‘bots have yet to be seen on patrol in the United States.

If Foster-Miller, the ‘bots manufacturer, and police forces across the country have their way, this will soon change.

According to Wired.com:

The Talon SWAT/MP [PDF] is a “robot specifically equipped for scenarios
frequently encountered by police SWAT [special weapon and tactics] units and MPs [military police],” a company fact sheet announces. It “can be configured with the following equipment:

• Multi-shot TASER electronic control device with laser-dot aiming.
• Loudspeaker and audio receiver for negotiations.
• Night vision and thermal cameras.
• Choice of weapons for lethal or less-than-lethal responses
- 40 mm grenade launcher - 2 rounds
- 12-gage shotgun - 5 rounds
- FN303 less-lethal launcher - 15 rounds.

The Talon SWAT/MP, like it’s brother SWORDS, is a modified version of a bomb-disposal robot that has seen action in Iraq for the past seven years.

The Massachusetts Sate Police Department has already begun R&D the robot’s shotgun mount, but the ‘bots themselves have yet to be deployed.

According to Foster-Miller spokesperson Cynthia Black, Massachusetts State Department are not the only ones to have their hands on these robots. SWAT teams in Houston, San Francisco, and Lubbock, TX all have the potentially lethal ‘bots. They have yet to be armed, but the organizations are ready and willing to do so once they get the approval.

Armed Robots are coming to a street near you.

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Three armed robots, nicknamed SWORDS, have begun patrolling the streets of Iraq. The robots “haven’t fired their weapons yet,” says Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, “But that’ll be happening soon.”

Robots on the streets of Iraq is far from a new occurrence. In fact, they have been there since the beginning of the occupation. This is, however, the first time in the history of armed conflict that the patrolling robots have been equipped with weaponry.

SWORDS, an acronym meaning “special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system”, are equipped with M249 machine guns.

Robots, in the past, have mainly been used for surveillance and bomb-disposal.

The SWORDS were originally declared ready for duty in 2004 but safety concerns kept them off the streets. Some of the machines had a problem where they would inexplicable spin out of control.

Hopefully these problems have been fixed.

The ‘bots now have kill switches and electronic and manual safeties to help prevent any disastrous mistakes.