Jun 06, 2022 20:00:00

Manufacturer proposes introducing remote-controlled drones equipped with Tasers to schools

Axon , a company that develops Tasers and body cameras for law enforcement, has announced that it is developing a remotely controlled drone equipped with a Taser, camera, and AI, with the aim of deploying the drones in schools to prevent mass shootings.

Axon Announces TASER Drone Development to Address Mass Shootings - Jun 2, 2022
https://investor.axon.com/2022-06-02-Axon-Announces-TASER-Drone-Development-to-Address-Mass-Shootings

How Non-Lethal Armed Drones Can Help Address School Shootings
https://www.axon.com/news/how-non-lethal-armed-drones-can-help-address-school-shootings

Axon Wants To Make Taser Drones for Schools Despite Its Own Ethics Board's Concerns
https://www.vice.com/en/article/z34bb3/axon-wants-to-make-taser-drones-for-schools-despite-its-own-ethics-boards-concerns

Axon's drones are equipped with non-lethal Tasers that are said to detect active shooter incidents and successfully subdue a target with human intervention in under 60 seconds.

Axon has established three principles for developing drones. First, 'human responsibility for decision-making' means that drones must be controlled only by certified, authorized humans who are legally and morally responsible. Even if a drone-based suppression is successful, records are rigorously reviewed and an investigation is conducted to determine whether the action was appropriate.

The other is that drones should be used to save lives, not take them. Axon points out that drones designed for security purposes in non-military environments should not have the ability to take lives and should only be equipped with non-lethal weapons.

Finally, Axon says government agencies should provide strict oversight and transparency, requiring drone deployments to disclose the type and circumstances of their deployments and to be overseen by appropriate oversight committees.

Axon also stated that the introduction of robots like drones requires rigorous discussion and legal frameworks, and that it will actively engage in discussions about ethical and legal frameworks as it develops its technology.

In response to this announcement, Axon's Ethics Advisory Board stated, 'Publicly announcing that we are developing Taser-equipped drones and robots for use in schools and operated by non-police personnel caused us some hesitation.' Axon CEO Rick Smith said he was 'proud' of his organization's reluctance and welcomed the opportunity to discuss the matter with multiple stakeholders.