tech

Chinese tech company develops robo-dogs

28 Comments
By Helen Roxburgh and Qian Ye

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Weaponized all-terrain robots are the next generation military technology.

They have been in service for over a decade. iRobot, the same company that invented the Roomba robot vacuum makes a variety of military and police robots including models armed with shotguns and grenade launchers on the same robot. If you are interested and so inclined look up something called the Interstate Aircraft TDR. The US Navy had an unmanned combat UAS as far back as WWII and expended about 200 of them fighting the Japanese.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This robot is based on models developed at Boston Dynamics, which were in turn originally designed at MIT. Boston Dynamics already has a military version called Big Dog, an intimidating robotic creature that can stalk you like a Terminator.

No. Big Dog was developed as a mechanical pack mule and is about the size of a small mule or burro, intended to carry heavy loads over rough terrain other vehicles could not traverse. The program was led not by MIT, but by DARPA, NASA JPL and Harvard University. The program was eventually cancelled because the machine was judged to be too noisy for combat. It used a gasoline engine for power. It didn't go anywhere quietly, which is a big problem for an infantry platoon. Stalk someone? Risible.

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This robot is based on models developed at Boston Dynamics, which were in turn originally designed at MIT. Boston Dynamics already has a military version called Big Dog, an intimidating robotic creature that can stalk you like a Terminator.

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Boston Dynamics original is quite a bit larger designed for combat, police work and fire fighting. They even have one that approaches the size and load carrying ability of a burro for the Marines. This "Alfa Dog " thing is more of a lap dog in comparison.

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I can see my border collie lifting a leg and doing something unmentionable on this robot's mechanical limbs. This will never replace the love and devotion of a real live flesh and blood dog. Not even close.

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"I think the Chinese are trying to create an edible version though."

This comment will be gone by morning. I made a similar comment earlier today and it was gone within minutes.

Lesson learnt - If you want to make cheeky comments do that when the mods are asleep.

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Its actually called Boston Dynamics, not Boston Robotics. But yes, it does look like a copy of their robo pooch. I think the Chinese are trying to create an edible version though.

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Boston Robotics made the original over 7 years ago.

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A dog without a head and tail ain't that cute.

They left off the best parts. I think people will swiftly grow tired of this contraption. Will it warm the bed for little children? Will it give children chores and duties to learn responsibility? "Taro-kun, have you changed its battery yet and downloaded its software updates yet?"

I was at Super Viva Home Center today. They were selling a Shiba-inu puppy (3 months old) for about the same price. The head and tail and beating heart are what tugged at my heartstrings. Unfortunately my lease does not allow real pets, so the robotic kind is probably all I can get.

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covid is a Chinese conspiracy of course the drugs don’t work it’ll probably kill u with unknown side effects. poor countries have no choice and Ccp always want something in return.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It's whip fast, obeys commands and doesn't leave unpleasant surprises on the floor -- meet the AlphaDog

And it is not a dog. It's a robot. A machine.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Complete rip off of Boston Robotics

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Wow! I didn't know Boston Robotics was a Chinese company!

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Stolen technology? You can be 100% sure.

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American innovation, Japanese design, Chinese production; this is the best combination imo. The Japanese are detailed. The Chinese can mass produce like crazy.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Don't think it's copycat. Robo dogs can't be made like robo monkeys. It should be shaped as it is. Think iphone and Godzilla how they are shaped just as other Originals.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Pat me on the head or I will impose sanctions on you

3 ( +3 / -0 )

With all these advanced new AI hi-tech, whoever the inventors and developers are, just make sure the robots are put to good use -- to benefit people, not to harm people..

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It reminds me of something as always...

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"Dog ownership was banned under the leadership of communist China's founder Mao Zedong -- but has since boomed dramatically."

One learns something new every day.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Absolute copy from Boston Robotics but in that horror of a country as a foreign company you can only loose the money you give your lawyer.

pretty much the same situation for a foreigner in Japan except that Japan is beautiful country with great potential. Just its bureaucratic system and “ justice “ is a shambles

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Copycat.

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@Joe Unc

My immediate thought was tht they stole the technology from Boston Robotics.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

Boringly predictable. Looks like a copy of Boston Robotics.

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Are they going to add teeth and guns to it later so that it could be used to control minority groups?

The answer is, yes.

Weaponized all-terrain robots are the next generation military technology.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

It was made so one could kick it when stressed? Is that the reason for making it? Are they going to add teeth and guns to it later so that it could be used to control minority groups?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

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