" Electric Shocks Directly into People’s Heart drones" Topic

Assasin drone!

Current AEDs (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators) have sensors in them that will prevent a shock if the conditions are not right. In fact, the sensors determine if the rhythm present is convertable. There is a misconception that a shock _starts_ the heart. An AED will _not_ work on a normally-beating heart or one with no heartbeat (asystole)--the unit gives a message to continue CPR. If a heart is fibrillating (quivering uselessly like a lump of self-motivated Jello), then the unit will recognize the rhythm as abnormal and authorize a shock.
I've taught First Aid/CPR for over a decade and part of the curriculum is the AED, which is one of the greatest advances in helping people survive heart attacks. It is severely idiot-resistant and actually verbally instructs you in the placement and operation of the equipment.

Now, if you are a sadistic SOB who wants to mess with people, and you have adequate electronics skills to do so, you might be able to bypass some of the safeguards to convert the unit into "Doctor Death's Shok-O-Matic".

It'd be interesting to see how the drone is going to shave my chest…

"It'd be interesting to see how the drone is going to shave my chest…"

Well, the Mark I straight-razor module was not a resounding success….

I think it'd need the lawnmower module!

"And of course, this will only ever be done with a safe amount of shock.

Of course".

Of course, at least until it is not, since we can rely on people to resist using their power incorrectly, 100% of the time, thankfully. (Heavy sarcasm intended, in case you couldn't tell)

I could, JJ, by the "Of course…" comment you made.

Anything that can be used the wrong way, will, eventually, if not immediately, by some.

Now, if you are a sadistic SOB who wants to mess with people, and you have adequate electronics skills to do so, you might be able to bypass some of the safeguards to convert the unit into "Doctor Death's Shok-O-Matic".

Since this is on the VSF board, it would be easier to make a Leiden jar (possibly charged by a Van de Graaff) that would have no such safety circuitry. Reasonable high-end science for the Victorian era, about $25 USD bucks worth of modern day equipment. Now, for the automatron to carry it … well, that's why there's an SF in VSF …

I have no opinion on if this thing would be useful at all for what it is intended.

As for a weapon, it would be an absurd waste of time. Which isn't to say people won't spend billions on it anyway.
A gun is more effective, reliable, cheaper, easier, and gives the same result.
Electrical burns are just as obvious as holes.

This can be a pretty decent non lethal system. Drones with Tasers would be pretty scary for riot control.

Terry

Electrical burns are just as obvious as holes.

Yeah, but projectiles have traceable physical characteristics; electricity, not so much.

A gun is more effective, reliable, cheaper, easier, and gives the same result.

Very true. Somehow, humanity has stumbled upon a highly efficient and effective solution to at least one challenge. I'm not sure I'm proud about that, though…