China unveils armed robot dog, raising concerns

During the joint Golden Dragon drills, a robotic quadruped armed with a gun was showcased. Over 2,000 troops and a dozen ships are participating in the ongoing 15-day exercise.

The robot, likely manufactured by Unitree, a Chinese company known for its high-priced products, was restrained during the demonstration and did not discharge its weapon in front of spectators and military official, said. Concerns among U.S. officials about Chinese influence in Cambodia, where significant investments have been made, have escalated.

The concept of machines equipped with weapons is reminiscent of science fiction and military innovation. Last year, the U.S. Marine Corps experimented with a rocket launcher mounted on a robotic animal it referred to as a “robotic goat.” Additionally, Ghost Robotics’ mechanical dog counterparts were utilised in an exercise at Nellis Air Force Base in 2020 and later deployed to Cape Cod Space Force Station.

While the deployment timeline of China’s armed robotic dog remains uncertain, the integration of machines alongside troops is expected to rise, facilitating tasks such as transporting supplies, reconnaissance, decoy operations, and more.