Advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House to rally support for a bill aimed at prohibiting the weaponization of robots and drones.

Among them was Boston Dynamics, showcasing their robot dog, Spot, to demonstrate its capabilities.

In 2022, Boston Dynamics and five other robotics firms committed to a pledge against weaponizing their advanced-mobility robots, setting the stage for the current legislative push.

The proposed responsible robotics bill, introduced in 2023, seeks to outlaw the modification, sale, or operation of robotic devices or drones equipped with weapons in Massachusetts.

Brendan Schulman, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at Boston Dynamics, emphasized the necessity of preventing misuse of such technology by individuals, WBZ News Radio reported.

While the bill includes exemptions for military, defense contractors, and police bomb squads, its primary focus is on preventing unauthorized weaponization.

If enacted, it would establish a groundbreaking standard for regulating this emerging technology nationwide.

Written by B.C. Begley