In the latest bad idea that will lead to the inevitable Man vs. Machine war, a South African security company has developed drones that emit pepper-spray. Try outrunning a pepper-spray can that chase you. 

The goal of these “Skunk Riot Control Copters” is to “prevent another Marikana”, where 34 mineworkers were shot and killed during a strike, and Hennie Kieser, managing director of Desert Wolf, feels the drones are the best solution for those hostile situations.

Anyone who was at Marikana would rather have this technology than live ammunition. People who say it’s inhumane compared to 9mm bullets are idiotic.

It’s the best solution for both parties: the miners on strike and those who are trying to control the strike. They both want to go home to their wives at the end of the day.

The Skunk features eight electric motors with 16-inch propellers, lifting 45kg and carrying 4 000 pepper-spray paintballs, plastic balls or other “non-lethal” ammunition; and Desert Wolf has already started supplying them to an international mining company.

If you don’t want to get a flying robot of asphyxiation, you can also  get a recreational one to take some awesome pics, so check out Drone Photo for some options.

Check out the full story on Mail & Guardian.