New York proposes ban on weaponizing robots and drones

New York lawmakers have introduced a new bill aimed at making it illegal to weaponize robots. The proposed legislation, called the Responsible Robotics Act, bans the sale, transfer, or modification of robots and drones with weapons attached. If approved, New York will become the first state in the U.S. to impose such a ban. The Senate Bill S3133 is now under review by the U.S. Committee Senate. The bill covers both remote-controlled and AI-powered machines. It also prohibits the use of robots for physically restraining people. Those who break the law could face fines between $25,000 and $100,000. State officials discussed the proposal during a press conference in Albany. They cited a public backlash against videos showing armed robots with flamethrowers and other weapons. The authors of the bill expressed concerns about the risks and ethical issues that come with weaponizing robots and drones. They stated that such practices could harm public trust and undermine the benefits of technology. The push for the ban comes as New York law enforcement has increased spending on robotics technology. In 2023, the NYPD signed a $750,000 contract with Boston Dynamics to bring back its Spot robot dog. Albert Fox Cahn, Executive Director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, welcomed the legislation, calling it an important step. He warned against the shift of drone weaponry from war zones to civilian areas, urging clarity on the legality of weaponizing common devices.