Spider-Man (2002) is a product of its time, and in 2002, conversations around military automation and "smart" weaponry were just beginning to reflect the drone-heavy landscape we see today. The movie portrays this emerging technology through Oscorp a defense contractor pushing the boundaries of automated flight and combat systems.
The movie shows the terrifying efficiency that automated tracking technology brings to combat, particularly with the Goblin's self-guided razor bats and automated drones. These autonomous weapons allow a single user to strike multiple targets or overwhelm an opponent without needing manual aim. While this kind of remote technology could theoretically be used for search and rescue or hands-free defense, the Goblin weaponizes it to trap Spider-Man, showing how easily autonomous tech can be abused to inflict harm without the user ever putting themselves in the direct line of fire.
While smaller drones are featured, Spider-Man heavily focuses on the Oscorp Glider as the ultimate piece of automated hardware. The glider is the pinnacle of Oscorp's military contracts, showcasing both the awe-inspiring capabilities and the deadly risks of smart machines.
The glider's technology is highly beneficial for a single pilot because its flight path and weapon systems are fully automated and integrated into the suit. Norman can bomb the World Unity Festival and engage in high-speed dogfights without ever needing to physically pull a trigger or steer with a manual yoke. This seamless automation allows the user to focus entirely on their surroundings and strategy rather than the mechanics of piloting showcasing how such technology could revolutionize mobility and defense.
However, this heavy reliance on automation is also incredibly dangerous, ultimately becoming the very thing that kills Norman. Because the glider can operate autonomously and respond to remote commands, Norman attempts to use its automated targeting to stab Spider-Man in the back while Spider-Man is distracted. Spider-Man dodges, and the machine blindly follows its lethal programming, impaling Norman instead. The ability to program machines to act independently offers massive tactical advantages, but as the movie shows, relinquishing direct control to automated, lethal machines can have fatal consequences.