The French Army has recently deployed a group of robots in the simulation of a combat mission held in a military school. The robotic dog named Spot, produced by US robotics manufacturer Boston Dynamics was among several robots deployed for offensive and defensive missions in collaboration with military school students. According to the school’s commandant, Jean-Baptiste Cavalier, the two-day training exercise provided an opportunity for the organizers to measure the added value that robots introduce into combat actions. The combat exercises saw Spot carrying out reconnaissance missions.

The robots used for the combat exercise were given to the French Army by Shark Robotics and Nexter Group. Boston Dynamics has said that it was aware that its robot Spot was being used for military exercises but was unaware of the present combat exercise’s details. The combat drills consisted of various offensive and defensive missions that were simulated by the students first without using robots and then using the robots.

The combat exercise analysis showed that the robots were a bit slower on their tasks than the students, and Spot was reported to have run out of battery life in the middle of a mission. However, the robots kept the troops safer, thus justifying their possible deployment in actual combat operations. The current exercise reflects the growing use of robots for military applications, bound to enhance and modify the way the military operates in actual combat situations.

We have read stories of Spot being deployed for other activities but this is the first time we are coming across a combat deployment. Boston Dynamics had previously produced several robots used in military applications, though, both offensive and defensive. The company has, however, gradually transformed into a robotics manufacturer of non-military-grade robots. It recently launched its proprietary and easy-to-deploy robot with a versatile robotic hand and mobility for packing and unpacking loads in warehouses. The robot has the ability to work on its batteries for several hours on a full charge.

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