On Thursday, Spot maker Boston Dynamics and other robotics companies signed an open letter pledging not to support weaponization of their robots or software. 

"We believe that adding weapons to robots that are remotely or autonomously operated, widely available to the public, and capable of navigating to previously inaccessible locations where people live and work, raises new risks of harm and serious ethical issues," the companies said in the letter.

The companies pledge not to weaponize their own robots, weaponize software for their robots, or to support others that do so. The letter also pledges that "when possible" these firms will "carefully review" customer applications to avoid possible weaponization, alongside a pledge to "explore the development" of ways to minimize the risks of weaponization. 

There's never been a better time to try and oppose the weaponization of robots. There are grenade-dropping commercial drones, and Boston Dynamics-style robot dogs have been seen with submachine guns attached to their backs and RPG launchers.