True scalability in robotics won’t come from full autonomy or direct control, but from mixed-initiative teaming—a collaborative, context-aware system where humans and AI dynamically share control based on strengths, performance, and mission needs. By prioritizing humanity-centered design and distributed intelligence over centralized command, we can enable resilient swarming behaviors that are not only more effective but also more ethical in complex, real-world environments.
Tag: Mixed Initiative
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The Coming Swarm…
From leading the first 100-robot swarm to pioneering early lethal autonomy prototypes, I’ve seen both the promise and peril of merging AI, robotics, and combat. While AI offers powerful tools to support warfighters and evaluate battlefield behavior, the true path forward lies not in removing the human, but in designing systems that amplify human insight through shared, mixed-initiative control with ethically aware machines.
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Becoming Swarm: How Our Approach to Self-Driving Must Change
After two decades of promises, autonomous vehicles have not delivered on safety, efficiency, or emissions, largely due to misplaced trust in centralized cloud systems and isolated onboard AI. To achieve the future we want—swift, synchronized, and safe mobility—we must adopt swarm intelligence, focusing on relative positioning, shared flow, and measurable safety rather than waiting for perfect autonomy from tech giants.