2.3M views · Jan 17, 2019 · 8:03 · 0 HN recommenders · 8 mentions · discussed 2020–2026
Slaughterbots, a short dystopian film in which swarms of small autonomous drones are programmed to kill targets matching a profile. It opens as a slick product launch before turning into a terror scenario.
Why Hacker News points people here: Used as a reference point in discussions of autonomous weapons, as a once-sci-fi scenario that now looks prescient.
“Quick reminder of the "Slaughterbots" video from 9(!) years ago, when the content was still sci-fi.”HN comment, 2026
“The scenario depicted in the film below is getting closer to reality”
Fictional film depicting swarm assassination drones.
A suicide drone can be used to take out any individual anywhere on the planet, fully remotely and untraceably with minimal collateral damage, while radar, missles and explosives can't. The scenario depicted in the film below is getting closer to reality: this video Although the above is overdramatised, it's not unrealistinc.
“This reminds me of the video released a year ago -”
Film about autonomous killer drones.
This reminds me of the video released a year ago - this video Next thing you know there is an AI detecting crime and killing the criminal without making a mess.
“Human 'soldiers' are really only going to be useful in the near future for infiltrating and disrupting social systems, not for dispensing physical violence.”
Dramatized swarm drone warfare.
Seriously, this video Human 'soldiers' are really only going to be useful in the near future for infiltrating and disrupting social systems, not for dispensing physical violence.
“the "Slaughterbots" video is not too far off from how STM presents their equipment”
Slaughterbots film resembles real defense contractor marketing.
For those who can't find the video on the page: link . As hn_throwaway_99 mentions below, the "Slaughterbots" video is not too far off from how STM presents their equipment: this video .
“shows a terror angle for some of what technology can do (drones)”
Shows a terror scenario using drones.
It's not enough (but it's still a good idea). "Slaughterbots" ( this video ) shows a terror angle for some of what technology can do (drones).
“Slaughterbot mini kamikaze drones were hypothesized 5 years ago”
Early depiction of kamikaze mini drones.
Slaughterbot mini kamikaze drones were hypothesized 5 years ago - this video AI & drone tech is fast enough that it would be trivial to build these now
“Even then, Slaughterbots did it first”
Prior fictional depiction of indoor killer drones.
Even then, Slaughterbots did it first: this video And you probably don't need fiber optic, because you're operating in "owned space" - the drones sit on charging platforms until needed. You can have, say, additional access points embedded in the walls and ceilings (for a price, but it's children's safety, so who are we to say base station rental is worth more that little Timmy not getting a 5.56 in the back in a signal blackspot!?)
“Quick reminder of the "Slaughterbots" video from 9(!) years ago, when the content was still sci-fi.”
Once-sci-fi film about killer drones now looks prescient.
Quick reminder of the "Slaughterbots" video from 9(!) years ago, when the content was still sci-fi. Well, we're catching up... this video
