Yes, It's True, the U.S. Military Has Plans for Robots that Can Eat Corpses

The Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot (EATR) may have found a home in war zones. This project sponsored by the Department of Defense, may seem like science fiction, but its day is coming.

This robot is being developed so that it can help soldiers in battle. But, how will it help? According to the Robotic Technologies site, the purpose of the EATR robot is to "be able to perform long-range, long-endurance missions without the need for manual or conventional re-fueling, which would otherwise preclude the ability of the robot to perform such missions."

The scary thing that has everyone talking is that it runs on biological material, which is found by foraging. The scientists plan for the robot to be able to eat things such as plant matter, but what stops it from eating animal matter?

Since the robot will possibly be able to run for months or longer eating up "bio-fuel," its use will be extremely valuable to troops on the ground. But, who knows if the robot will be able to discriminate between the differing organic materials around it. It is possible that it may run on corpses, but, will it stop with dead bodies, or will it after exhausting its food supply, begin munching on live ones?

Despite the fears many people have of this kind of technology, the bio-fuel robot could actually be a fantastic invention. It works on a principal of external combustion. According to Fox News, the "EATR will be powered by the Waste Heat Engine developed by Cyclone Power Technology of Pompano Beach, Fla., which uses an "external combustion chamber" burning up fuel to heat up water in a closed loop, generating electricity."

The Department of Defense is hoping that this technology is successful. If it is they have plans to use this kind of technology in many different forms including: a transport, an ambulance, a communications center, even a

It is important to note that this technology really shouldn't be dangerous in its current form. It functions much like a computer, with out the option of self creating new parameters, and self- actualization. In fact, "Robotic Technology presents EATR as an essentially benign artificial creature that fills its belly through "foraging," despite the obvious military purpose."

So, Sci-fi fans, this new technology is far from the Matrix, or the Terminator! But, it still makes one wonder how far could scientists take this new technology.

References:

Robotictechnology at: http://www.robotictechnologyinc.com/index.php/EATR. Retrieved from the world wide web on 7/15/09.

Upcoming Military Robot Could Feast on Dead Bodies at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,532492,00.html. Retrieved from the world wide web on 7/15/09.mobile gunship.