Police in San Francisco will be able to use killer robots.
Police in San Francisco can use deadly robots
The city's ruling Board of Supervisors has voted to let SFPD officers use the droids as lethal options in the event of a life-threatening risk to civilians and police where no alternatives are feasible.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Robots could potentially be equipped with explosive charges to breach fortified structures containing violent, armed, or dangerous subjects."
They added that robots could be used to "incapacitate, or disorient violent, armed, or dangerous suspects who pose a risk of loss of life".
Dr. Catherine Connelly, from the group Stop Killer Robots, said that the move is a "slippery slope" that could distance humans from killing.
The measure passed last week and specified that officers could use the deadly robots after employing alternative tactics of de-escalation.
It has also been stipulated that only a limited number of a high-ranking officers can authorise its use.