Supervisors in San Francisco have approved allowing the city’s police force to use remote-controlled robots to deal with emergency situations — but not without heated debate and strong objections from the public, including civil liberties and police oversight groups, particularly because the robots have the capability to use lethal force. Protestors voiced concerns it would lead to militarization of a police force already prone to acting aggressively. Newscasters sought the opinion of Fulton Schools Professor Brad Allenby, whose research has included consideration of ethical values in decisions about the use of technology. Allenby said there are safeguards that could be put in place to deter fears of excessive use of weaponized robots.