The Anti-Drone UAV 'Interceptor' Raises A Lot Of Controversies And Criticism

Palmer Luckey – the co-founder of Oculus – has also founded a company called Anduril Industries that manufactures drone-ramming drones. In the recent few years, contracts between the company, government and military have drawn a lot of criticism and controversies, and it’s unlikely to fall away any time soon. For instance, Anduril is working on a “counter-drone” codenamed Interceptor, which can assault any robotic fliers locked as targets by ramming them in airborne at high speed.

Though human operators can order interceptors to perform the tasks, it also can be enabled through AI for takedowns, then automatically catch up with targets with computer vision. On the company’s side, amidst the booming of flak over potential threats, reportedly hopes this will help the military in protecting key units and infrastructure against drone attacks, including both improvised bombers and recon vehicles built on purpose.

Earlier in 2019, dozens of Interceptors started arriving in the US and UK. According to Bloomberg, the company is having hundreds of further units in the pipeline. A large number of "Interceptor" drones will take place in conflict areas due to the company’s newest contract. However, there’s no further information regarding any exact location or target.

As criticized, Anduril’s reputation won’t get brighter with such a contract. Since being accused of providing surveillance tech for Trump’s controversial border between the US and Mexico, now it appears to be a weapon maker indeed. Agree to disagree, Anduril along with its anti-drone project is placed in a complicated position while being sandwiched between a complete sinner and saint.

Put all aside, Anduril marketed Interceptor as a defensive tool that theoretically goes a long way toward saving lives rather than threatening them. Many people, meanwhile, draw their concerns over the rise of highly-automated robots, which would be misused and abused for inhuman purposes.