There is no way that anyone can guarantee that these machines would not be used against people. You cannot make them so they only fight other robots because if you can make them fight in the first place, there is a way to make them fight anyone. What if there is a malfunction? What if these malfunctions make them start killing troops, or worse, innocent people. If robots only fought their own kind then there would be no problem, but until there is a way to do this, or if there is even a way to do it, it is to risky. Robots should not be used to fight; they will not save lives but eventually help cause deaths. Another view is that robots could be used for more surveillance and non-combat means. This way a robot could do human jobs that might be dangerous for them, and they would do them more effectively. An example of how the machines will be utilized is show by the Autonomous Robots For Military Systems handbook, when it states how these robots could be used. [The military forces of the future will use multi-agent robotic workforces for reconnaissance and surveillance, logistics and support, communications infrastructure, forward-deployed offensive operations, and as tactical decoys to conceal maneuver by manned assets. Towards this end, there is a clear and definite need for optimal, or pare optimal, multi-robot control strategies in the synthesis, design, implementation, and fielding of autonomous and semi-autonomous teams of combat robots for military systems. Proven coordination methods are essential to enable interactions with in dynamic and hostile environments, synchronized maneuvers, sensible and robust rules of engagement (ROE), and reliable field behavior] (Singh and Thayer 3). Yes, robots probably can perform these less threatening jobs and be successful at them. What happens though, if a robot malfunctions, and is unable to deliver food to troops? If one of these machines breaks down, then what will happen? There could be some very serious consequences if a malfunction occurs.
