My comment was in jest, but actually contains an answer as well: these scout robots are not made for combat. And there is a huge range of reasons this might not be the case. A few broad examples:
- Manoeuvrability has been favoured over armour and other defensive measures.
These machines are fast and agile, but easily incapacitated. They are as light-weight as possible. - They carry mapping and scanning tools, rather than offensive weaponry.
The one submachine gun can is used in the unlikely scenario the robot is being attacked and it can increase its survival chance by killing rather than avoiding its predator. (Naturally, knowing they carry guns will keep the unarmed in line.)
From a completely different perspective, there could be good reasons humans have to do the actual fighting:
- Robotic combat is universally considered an act of terrorism.
It's already hard to develop robots solely for combat and offense without anyone knowing, but to actually deploy them is even more difficult and considered terrorism.
The reasons behind this will allow for some intriguing socio-political storytelling (involving a singular historical event, perhaps). - Robots can't always distinguish between Friend Or Foe.
We are familiar with this concept, but there is simply not always a way to tell opposing forces apart, especially when everyone is wearing civilian clothing (this especially holds true during insurgencies an other rebellions). You need clear human communication and a direct and dynamic conceptualization of the "battle field" to attack or defend against an opposition. - This is about oppression, and humans are the vilest and crudest of all.
No details necessary.
