Ethical and legal aspects of using combat robots

The article considers the problem of autonomy of combat robots. Six levels of autonomy are suggested, instead of the usual dichotomy: autonomous – non-autonomous. In this respect, the ethical and legal issues related to the use of combat robots are analyzed. Consequently, it is postulated that the design of robots characterized by higher levels of autonomy should take into account moral and legal aspects at an early stage of specification, i.e. that the structure of the system and its functions take these issues into account from the very beginning of the design process.