New, Armed Robot Gets Friendly Fire Software

Foster-Miller unveiled a new, armed robot for Iraq that features built-in safeguards against friendly fire. The remote-controlled, GPS-enhanced robot, called MAARS (for Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System), has software controls that let the driver choose "NO FIRE ZONES" -- areas the bot is programmed to never fire at no matter what. Its gun can be swapped out quickly for a mechanical arm for "inspecting IEDs, opening doors, even dragging casualties." Here comes the VIDEO!