Educational Computer Turned Lethal Weapon... The Tragedy of Drone Warfare
Raspberry Pi Embedded in Russian Drones
A Computer Developed for Coding Education
Outstanding Cost-Effectiveness Leads to Military Misuse
The fact that the mini-computer 'Raspberry Pi,' originally intended for coding education, has been used as the brain of Russian lethal drones has caused shock. Raspberry Pi is a palm-sized ultra-compact computer developed by engineers from Oxford University in the United Kingdom, designed for young people studying in challenging environments. This means that innovative technology, born for good intentions, is now being utilized on the frontlines of war.
Educational Computer Used in Russian Lethal Drones
Russian Geran-2 drone (above) and Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer (SBC). FPRI, Raspberry Pi official website
According to reports from foreign media outlets such as Business Insider on January 13 (local time), the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR) has released a list of core components of the Russian-made lethal drone 'Geran-2.' Geran-2 is an inexpensive lethal drone originally designed in Iran and is now mainly used by the Russian military to attack Ukrainian cities.
According to the GUR, there are two key components required to manufacture the Geran-2: a piston engine imported from China and the single-board computer (SBC) 'Raspberry Pi 4.' The latter serves as the essential brain for inputting the drone's target flight area and for piloting and controlling it. Raspberry Pi 4 has also been found in the Geran-5, a much more advanced and latest model than the Geran-2, where it is used to connect to satellite communication networks and relay 3G/4G communications, implementing advanced IT technologies.
Cost-Effective at Around 100,000 KRW... Innovative Electronic Device Becomes a Lethal Weapon
Raspberry Pi is an ultra-compact computer created by the British charity and computer manufacturer 'Raspberry Pi Foundation.' It is called a single-board computer because it implements essential computer functions by combining various semiconductors and USB ports on a single electronic board. It was originally developed to support coding education for students in developing countries such as those in Africa. As of last year, more than 7.6 million units are sold annually.
Raspberry Pi 4 is the fourth-generation product released in 2020 and is capable of running complex programs, making it popular not only in education but also in industrial sites and research labs.
The most notable feature of Raspberry Pi is its cost-effectiveness. In Korea, Raspberry Pi 4 is sold for between 90,000 and 130,000 KRW, and even a 'basic kit' that includes 8GB of memory and other accessories costs less than 200,000 KRW.
The outstanding cost-effectiveness of Raspberry Pi has also proven valuable for military use. Russia, which is under economic sanctions from the United States, Europe, and the international community, needs to manufacture drones as cheaply as possible. Raspberry Pi, which can be purchased for around 100,000 KRW, is now becoming an essential part of the weapons supply chain. On its website, the GUR emphasized, "Electronic devices that were originally created to improve quality of life are being misused as tools of violence," and added, "To undermine the aggressor's ability to fight, occupy, and kill, this supply chain must be cut off."
Banned at New York Mayor's Inauguration Due to Hacking Concerns
On the 1st (local time), Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as New York City Council member. Photo by Yonhap News
Due to concerns about potential misuse, Raspberry Pi has sometimes been designated as a prohibited item at official events. At the inauguration ceremony of the new New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani on January 1, participants were prohibited from bringing Raspberry Pi devices. At that time, Raspberry Pi was included in the list of banned items alongside explosives, drones, and weapons.
The American IT media outlet 'TechRadar' analyzed this, stating, "It seems that New York authorities were concerned about the security of communication networks," and explained, "because it is a small computer device capable of hacking wireless networks." However, the outlet also pointed out the loopholes in the security regulations, stating, "Modern smartphones or laptops can perform all the programming functions that Raspberry Pi can, and some products are even more powerful."
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