Despite assurances from Vladimir Putin that the latest robot is not a real-life Terminator, the video posted online showing the human-like machine shooting guns with both hands can still make you nervous. News about the android robots called FEDOR - Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research was first reported last December as necessary for Russia's space program. However, the latest information about FEDOR shows that it has now been trained to shoot guns, drive cars, drill holes, and do press-ups.
The Russian experimental robot stands six foot tall and weighs between 106-160 kg. It can carry extra equipment and can lift up to 20 kg of cargo. The inventors say that the shooting training will help improve their motor skills and decision-making capabilities. Russia's deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin already explained that they are not creating a killing machine, but that they're developing an artificial intelligence that will be of great practical significance in various fields.
Posting a short clip showing the Terminator robot armed and in action, a message accompanied the clip: “Russian fighting robots – guys with iron nature”. Per the Mirror Online, the short video also features other robot vehicles firing at targets on a range, but these are believed to be remote controlled. The robot was originally created with the purpose to participate in rescue missions, but now, it has emerged that it might also be trained for military uses.
Developed by Android Technics and the Advanced Research Fund, FEDOR is set to permanently replace cosmonauts in maintaining the ISS by 2021. Aside from the military training, scientists are also attempting to teach it advanced skills such as using a set of keys, and how to screw in a light bulb, and drive a car. According to The Sun, its creators are defending their decision to train it to be like an army robot, citing the training to be essential for it to develop decision-making skills.
Incidentally, the clips of FEDOR doing nerve-wracking things came out recently just as fears of World War Three were generated after President Trump’s Tomahawk missile attack on Syrian caused tension between the US and Russia. However, Russia is firm in its explanation that the humanoid is not designed to become an army robot. The behind-the-scenes footage revealing its frightening capabilities are all explained away as training the robot needs to function in outer space.
