Robotics experts appeared before the Massachusetts State House last week to voice their support for a bill aimed at ensuring the safe and ethical use of robotics across the state. The panel featured Tom Ryden, executive director of MassRobotics; Kelly Peterson, assistant general counsel of compliance at Boston Dynamics; and Grant Baker, senior manager of government affairs at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).
They endorsed Senate Bill 1208, titled “An Act to Ensure the Responsible Use of Advanced Robotic Technologies,” which proposes clear rules and regulations to guide the responsible deployment of robots.
“This Act sets out important guidelines clarifying what is and isn’t acceptable in the field of robotics,” Ryden stated during the hearing. “It gives Massachusetts the opportunity to take the lead nationally with this type of legislation, and we fully support it.”
This isn’t the first instance of organizations pushing for the ethical use of robots. In 2022, Boston Dynamics alongside Agility Robotics, ANYBotics, Clearpath Robotics, Open Robotics, and Unitree—signed an open letter committing not to weaponize robots. The pledge earned the group an RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award from The Robot Report.
MassRobotics Joins 2024 Congressional Briefing on National Robotics Strategy
More recently, in 2024, MassRobotics took part in a Congressional Robotics Caucus Briefing focused on developing a National Robotics Strategy. The event also featured participation from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).
If enacted, S.1208 would prohibit modifying, selling, or operating any robotic device fitted with or carrying a weapon. It would also make it illegal to use a robot to threaten someone, physically restrain them, or engage in harassment.
“The last thing we or the industry want is for these devices to be weaponized by consumers,” said Peterson. “Unfortunately, we’ve already seen examples on YouTube—people attaching machine guns to robot dogs and marketing robots with flamethrowers. This legislation directly addresses such misuse.”
The bill does include specific exemptions. It would not apply to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the Massachusetts National Guard, or defense contractors operating under DOD contracts. It also allows for waivers from the attorney general for testing or educational purposes.
Additionally, the legislation permits law enforcement officers to use robots in specific scenarios, such as defusing explosives, destroying property in life-threatening situations, and conducting training or testing exercises.
Warrant Required for Law Enforcement Use of Robots on Private Property
The Act also requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant or other legally mandated judicial authorization before deploying robotic devices on private property—mirroring existing legal standards for officer entry.
In essence, if a warrant is needed for an officer to enter a building, the same applies to a robot. This provision also covers surveillance and location tracking in circumstances that would otherwise legally require a warrant.
“These kinds of safeguards are essential to ensure the responsible use of robotic systems,” Baker stated. “They’re key not only to protecting public safety, but also to fostering trust and confidence in advanced robotics.”
Read the original article on: The Report Robot
Read more: TRIC Robotics Secures Seed funding to Support Pest and Disease Control for Farmers