The NYT article says:
For example, in one situation playing out in Dr. Arkin's computers, a robot pilot flies past a small cemetery. The pilot spots a tank at the cemetery entrance, a potential target. But a group of civilians has gathered at the cemetery, too. So the pilot decides to keep moving, and soon spots another tank, standing by itself in a field. The pilot fires; the target is destroyed.
In Dr. Arkin's robotic system, the robot pilot would have what he calls a "governor." Just as the governor on a steam engine shuts it down when it runs too hot, the ethical governor would quash actions in the lethal/unethical space.
Some of you also might remember the US Navy brief I've posted here before, which proposes a possible solution to this problem. Program the robots to aim and fire only at weapons, not people. Under the laws of armed conflict, anyone who dies would be considered "collateral damage". (I'm not recommending this solution, but I know it has been proposed in the Pentagon.)
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