Lawmakers in Massachusetts and California, wrapping up their legislative work for the year, are moving to prohibit weaponized robots and drones amid manufacturers’ concerns about the potential for abuse.
The California state Senate has until Aug. 31 to clear legislation (A.B. 2681) that the Assembly has already passed. A similar measure (H.B. 4832) awaits final approval by Massachusetts lawmakers in a special session that is likely this fall.
Robot manufacturers have championed the ban as part of a public-relations battle against do-it-yourself Terminator creators on social media, who have gained millions of views by posting videos ...