India, Aug. 26 -- The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday ratcheted up a joint call for countries to adopt bans and restrictions on use of autonomous weapons systems - often known as "killer robots" - warning that "the risks have intensified."

Building on an initial appeal three years ago and international talks on the issue for years, the appeal stops short of calling for a blanket ban, but notes that such weapons systems are being developed - though the UN and Red Cross haven't confirmed their use on the battlefield.

The organisations said, however, that civilians need to be protected for when that day may come. "We are now dangerously close to crossing a moral red line: The autonomous targeting ...