Slashdot (for all your sentry robot news) points to a Korean Herald article about the possible deployment of weapons-grade cybernetics along the DMZ (DeMilitarized Zone). (“How’s that for an oxymoron?”)
“Robots with weapons mounted on their frames are each expected to be able to observe from 2 and 1 kilometers during the day and night, respectively, and will have the capability to record voices and take pictures in a 180-degree circle.”
The Korean Herald reports such usage is modeled after the U.S. SWORDS (Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection Systems) project.
“We are considering ways to properly and actively take advantage of state-of-the-art technologies,” ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Shin Hyun-don told reporters. “In the mid- and long-term perspective, the ministry will set up the infrastructure for a technology-based security posture instead of a personnel-based system.”
The ministry expects it will cost about 20 billion won to set up 250 robots every 1 kilometer along the border.
With South Korean government’s new emphasis on the acceptance of the Linux operating system, let us hope that they avoid GNOME expert system software.
“It says, General Hung-dong, that before I can dowload the GTK patch or upgrade my glibc that I need to find this obscure developmental package that only a GNOMIE who is paid the big bucks can install for me.”
