Security News > 2022 > November > San Francisco lawmakers approve lethal robots, but they can't carry guns
San Francisco police can deploy so-called "Killer robots" following a Board of Supervisors' vote on Tuesday, clearing the cops to use robots equipped with explosives in extreme situations.
The robots primarily will be used to neutralize and dispose of bombs, and provide video reconnaissance, according to San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.
An earlier draft of the San Francisco ordinance stated "Robots shall not be used as a use of force against any person." The policy's authorized use section was amended to say: "Robots will only be used as a deadly force option when risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent and outweighs any other force option available to SFPD.".
An SFPD spokesperson told The Register that the police department does not own or operate any robots equipped with lethal force options - a scenario considered and then abandoned by the Oakland Police Department - and has no plans to arm the machines with "Any type of firearm."
"As an intermediate force option, robots could potentially be equipped with explosive charges to breach fortified structures containing violent, armed, or dangerous subjects or used to contact, incapacitate, or disorient violent, armed, or dangerous suspect who pose a risk of loss of life to law enforcement or other first responders by use of any other method, approach, or contact," Officer Robert Rueca said in an email to The Register.
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