Robotic Dog Armed with Machine Gun Showcased in China’s Military Exercise

China’s military innovation has taken another leap forward with the introduction of a robotic dog armed with a machine gun, as revealed in a recent video. This mechanical canine, showcased during the China-Cambodia “Golden Dragon 2024” training exercise, weighs 33 lbs and is equipped with a sophisticated perception system. According to Chinese soldier Yang Sheng, the robotic dog is not just for show but is actively being used in missions, capable of transmitting real-time reconnaissance footage and performing complex maneuvers such as jumping and moving in various directions.
The robot, when fully equipped with its rifle, weighs approximately 110 lbs and has demonstrated its ability to autonomously navigate to objectives, showcasing its potential for breach and entry operations alongside armed teams. Another soldier, Chen Wei, highlighted the robot’s value in urban combat situations, where it can replace human soldiers in reconnaissance and target identification roles.
In addition to ground-based robots, the Chinese military has also deployed UAV quadcopters armed with machine guns, indicating a broader strategy of integrating robotic systems into its arsenal. This approach to warfare is not unique to China; the United States has also been experimenting with similar technologies. American Marines have tested mechanized dogs with various weapons, and U.S. law enforcement utilized a robot named “Roscoe” during a standoff in Massachusetts, demonstrating the robot’s ability to draw fire and sustain damage that would be lethal to a human.
These developments suggest a future where robotic systems increasingly play a role in combat and law enforcement operations, potentially reducing the risk to human life but also raising ethical and tactical considerations about the use of autonomous weapons on the battlefield.