Sex robots could be hijacked by hackers and used to kill people

[editor]

Great headline. And who knew there was such a thing as a "vulnerable butt plug?

Sex robots could be hijacked by hackers and used to cause harm or even kill people, a cybersecurity expert has warned.

Artificial intelligence researchers have consistently warned of the security risks posed by internet-connected robots, with hundreds recently calling on governments to ban weaponized robots.

The latest warning comes from a cybersecurity expert who made the prophecy to several U.K. newspapers.

“Hackers can hack into a robot or a robotic device and have full control of the connections, arms, legs and other attached tools like in some cases knives or welding devices,” Nicholas Patterson, a cybersecurity lecturer at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, told the Star.

“Often these robots can be upwards of 200 pounds and very strong. Once a robot is hacked, the hacker has full control and can issue instructions to the robot. The last thing you want is for a hacker to have control over one of these robots. Once hacked they could absolutely be used to perform physical actions for an advantageous scenario or to cause damage.”

Sex robots could be transformed into killers by hackers, security expert warns

 

[Yossarian]

I think producers have just found the plot for the next Austin Powers movie.

 

[yield]

 

[xenon]

Well it's a novel spin on the proliferation of iOT devices raises some interesting security challenges. SO fair play.

 

[NoXion]

Don't see how this is unique to sex robots, or even robots in general. Surely anything with software could, at least in theory, be vulnerable to hacking?

Which raises the interesting question of how big the risks of hacking in general are, and what can be done to mitigate such risks. Criminals and terrorists certainly have strong motivations to hack online banking and modern airliners, yet they remain popular enough. That would seem to indicate that such risks are in fact manageable.

 

[DotCommunist]

Your on yer own with this one

 

[pesh]

Dignitas should get a few and offer a premium service.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

At least you'd die happy.

 

[Saul Goodman]

I'm going to buy one, IoT it up and post the login details online. Let's do this!

 

[andysays]

Perfect story for Valentine's Day

 

[moochedit]

Phew! .... I'm glad i don't own a sex robot.... ....

 

[Pickman's model]

Phew! .... I'm glad i don't own a sex robot.... ....

The sex robot would own you

 

[moochedit]

The sex robot would own you

Some people like it that way.

 

[salem]

Newsweek using 'the star' as a source for the article

 

[Edie]

I think producers have just found the plot for the next Austin Powers movie.

You’re a funny fucker aren’t ya

 

[MickiQ]

I'm going to buy one, IoT it up and post the login details online. Let's do this!

Do you know if these things are Alexa-compatible?

 

[moochedit]

Do you know if these things are Alexa-compatible?

Asking for a friend?

 

[fishfinger]

An armoured condom should provide some protection from raging sexbots:

 

[Saul Goodman]

Do you know if these things are Alexa-compatible?

I'm hoping they're Gooogle Home compatible.
"Hey Google, turn wank hand to 100%"

 

[RubyToogood]

If I'd known you could get sex robots with welding devices I'd have got one ages ago.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Great headline. And who knew there was such a thing as a "vulnerable butt plug?



Sex robots could be transformed into killers by hackers, security expert warns

Given that paedophiles are apparently importing child-like sex robots from China, some might say that hackers doing so wouldn't be entirely unacceptable...