A robotic “dog of war” is the star of footage recently uploaded to Chinese state media.
In the 11-second video, a mechanized quadruped can be seen taking point position as flesh-and-blood soldiers breach a door in a simulated raid.
The remotely operated war robot, on which a rifle-firing platform was mounted, has a long battery life and can be operated from a “very long distance,” one of the soldiers says in the Chinese Central Television video.
He pointed out the robot is also adept at bearing ammunition and medical supplies.
CCTV
The clip recalls footage that emerged on Chinese microblogging website Weibo in late 2022 demonstrating the potential for rapid deployment of such machines while minimizing the risk to personnel.
That video showed the four-legged machine being airlifted onto a rooftop on the underside of a multi-rotor drone. The “dog” then unfolds from its compact position, stands up, and begins exploring its new environs.
The weapon was equipped with what appeared to be a Chinese QBB-97 light machine gun, capable of firing to 650 rounds per minute, defense news outlet The War Zone reported.
China is not the only country experimenting with military-purposed robotic quadrupeds. Late last year, the U.S. Marine Corps conducted a proof-of-concept demonstration involving a “robotic goat” bearing an M72 light anti-tank gun.
As early as 2020, the U.S. Air Force was testing the machine’s potential for guarding bases.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Department of Defense and the Chinese Foreign Ministry with written requests for comment.
In Russia, a bionic canine armed with an rocket launcher also featured at a weapons expo in 2022. The War Zone wrote that the platform appeared to be one that was commercially available.
Though these robot dogs have yet to enter active military service, they were introduced into communities during China’s strict lockdowns during the COVID pandemic, which were not relaxed until a year ago following rare widespread protests.
In early 2022, these mechanized dogs were seen roaming the streets of Shanghai, blasting out messages through megaphones for locals to stay indoors, wash their hands and take their temperatures.
In the U.S., Massachusetts state police in 2019 made use of a “Spot,” a robot engineered by robotics design company Boston Dynamics, on their bomb squad.
It served as a “mobile remote observation device,” providing police with situational awareness via images of suspicious objects or locations where dangerous suspects could be hiding.
The New York Police Department has also made use of the robots. In 2021, one aided police in rescuing victims of a home invasion in the Bronx.
In 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced the city’s law enforcement would be acquiring multiple units, which can operate autonomously, to be deployed in dangerous situations. Each one has a price tag of $75,000.
These machines have sparked concerns from rights groups, however.
“The deployment of advanced technologies like robots often happens faster than our legal systems can adjust,” the American Civil Liberties Union said. “We need clear policies, transparency, and democratic debate and input to ensure these technologies do not threaten civil liberties.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.