While more and more robotic dogs are appearing in China’s cities, companies say they’ve been caught off guard by videos of the machines armed with guns in military exercises.
From Beijing to Hangzhou, robotic dogs have become an increasingly familiar sight in parks. These mechanical companions can easily navigate stairs and even hills. Josh Yuan demonstrated his robo-dog in one of Beijing’s upscale shopping areas, maneuvering it through a crowd of intrigued spectators using a handheld remote. He purchased the robot for £1,300 a few months ago.
“Right now, it’s mostly for people like me—tech enthusiasts and programmers,” Mr. Yuan remarked. “But in the future, humanoid robots will likely become commonplace in homes once they become more affordable.”
China is home to numerous robotics companies, with some, like Hangzhou-based Unitree, specializing in robotic dogs. Unitree recently unveiled two new models: a small dog designed for companionship and fun, which can even be dressed in costumes like a dragon or panda, and a larger model capable of carrying heavy loads. The larger version is designed for industrial use, such as transporting supplies, emergency response, or inspecting pipelines.
However, in May, robotic dogs garnered unwanted attention after China’s state media aired footage of them being used in military training, with weapons mounted on their backs. The People’s Liberation Army was seen using these armed robots in exercises with Cambodian forces. Unitree, though, was taken by surprise.
“We learned about the video online, like everyone else,” said Duke Huang, the company’s marketing manager. “We had no prior knowledge of this.”
While Unitree’s robots aren’t built for military purposes, the video sparked significant concern. “We can’t control how buyers use the dogs after purchase,” Mr. Huang explained. “But we are considering ways to prevent future military applications.”
Despite the growing presence of drones in warfare, Unitree doesn’t believe robotic dogs will follow. “The dog isn’t that advanced,” Mr. Huang noted. “It still relies on manual control. It doesn’t have a brain.”
P.W. Singer, a strategist with the U.S. think-tank New America, specializing in modern warfare, emphasized that “almost every development in AI and robotics for civilian use is being reflected on the battlefield.” He highlighted that AI and drones used in conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, are often adapted from civilian technologies.
Singer likened the current state of tech in warfare to early aviation in World War I: “We’re only at the beginning. The technology now is like the biplanes of WWI compared to what airplanes would eventually become.”
Far from military use, robotic dogs remain a novelty in everyday life, capable of running up to 16 miles per hour, rolling over, shaking hands, and even barking out messages in English or Chinese. In China’s wealthiest, tech-focused cities, these robots continue to captivate.
“When I first saw it, it was magical,” exclaimed Hangzhou resident Silver. “I couldn’t believe it.”
