Thoughts on the Development of Robot Dogs

By Li Yue Shang Jinxin

Spot type robot dog. Data pictures

In May this year, ‍the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command organized a shooting test using a ‍UGV robot dog-mounted rifle.⁣ It is said that the ⁤robot dog uses artificial ⁢intelligence technology to ‍automatically search for targets. Although relevant officials affirmed the importance of this test, ​from a global ⁤perspective, the development⁣ of robot dogs is far from reaching the level​ of “loosening the ‍chain.”

Similar to many ⁢countries that explicitly ⁣require dogs to be tethered when out‌ walking, many experts and ⁢knowledgeable ⁤people⁣ are worried about the development of robot dogs. ⁣Once ​such products ‍get out of⁢ control, they will ‌seriously endanger the safety of human society. Therefore, they have repeatedly called for no restrictions on robot dogs. “Loose the rope”‍ emphasizes that the “final decision-making power” should be held in human⁢ hands.

Such calls ⁤are largely based on people’s prediction that ‍artificial intelligence may bring risks when it ⁣develops to ⁣a higher stage. But there is another main reason for the current ⁢emphasis‌ on “holding the ‘rope chain’ ​of ⁣the robot dog in your hands”,‌ and that is⁤ that the current capabilities of the robot dog do‍ not seem to ⁣be ​able⁢ to reach a level that allows people​ to feel reassured and ‌let⁣ go.

With the support of artificial intelligence, the robot dog has certain autonomous action capabilities, such as autonomous obstacle avoidance, autonomous⁣ following, etc., and can work in some extreme environments. ⁣However,‍ the degree of intelligence of the robot ​dog still needs to be further improved. In March this year, a Spot robot dog serving the ‍Massachusetts‌ police in the United States ‍was first knocked down by the suspect during the search for a criminal suspect, and then was shot three times and damaged by the suspect. This incident reflects ‌to a certain extent that there is still a big gap in the flexibility and rapid response capabilities of robot ⁣dogs ‍based on artificial intelligence.

From the​ perspective of military applications,​ robot dogs have great potential.‍ For​ example, it ‍can​ perform tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, drug delivery, target ⁣search, and ⁤fire‌ guidance relatively covertly. In ⁣addition, the characteristics of four-legged support and movement make it⁢ have good stability and can serve as a mobile⁢ carrying platform for some weapons. Up to now, the weapons that various countries have mounted ​on robot dogs⁣ include assault rifles, sniper rifles, squad machine guns, ‌submachine guns, grenade launchers, light anti-tank‍ weapons,‌ rocket⁣ launchers, ‍flamethrowers, etc. However, most ⁢of these⁣ robot dogs that ​serve as weapon-carrying platforms are still in the testing or trial stage. There have ​been no ‍reports of its⁢ formal use in actual⁤ combat in the news around the world, reflecting that the robot dog may not be mature enough in this regard.

Since it is a ⁤robot dog, the ⁢operation of the⁤ machine is the premise and⁢ basis for its action. ‌Judging from ​the development of robot ‌dogs in various countries around the world, their power mainly​ comes from fuel or ⁣batteries. ⁤For a ⁢robot dog‍ that is going to be​ on the battlefield,‍ using both power sources has its drawbacks. If fuel is used, the problem of noise from engine operation must⁤ be addressed. For​ example, the “Big Dog” robot dog developed in the United ⁢States in 2005 was eventually halted ⁤due to excessive engine ⁣noise.‌ If you use a​ battery pack, there is inevitably⁣ the problem of insufficient battery ⁢life. In order for the robot dog to operate covertly for a long time, ⁣it must ​find a way to make up for its shortcomings in this area.

Compared with ⁤unmanned vehicles, the robot dog’s unique appearance, four-legged configuration and its smaller size not only bring advantages,‍ but also have some disadvantages,⁤ such as the relatively limited ability ⁤to carry other⁤ equipment. Some⁤ robot dogs ⁢have been used to conduct fire guidance tests, but‍ despite the professional payloads they carry, they are still not⁢ enough⁢ to guide rocket launches at long distances. The limited carrying capacity of the robot dog is also reflected in its inability​ to carry weapons with large recoil. This is the reason why robot dogs in some countries overturned during ‌rocket launch tests.

In‌ the eyes of developers, robot dogs have broad prospects for development, such as carrying out mine clearance​ and carrying large-charge bombs ​to launch ​suicide attacks. However, at least​ for now, the high cost‌ of robot dogs still prevents many countries from‌ using them in this way. Only by significantly reducing ​the cost will it⁣ be ​possible for robot dogs to enter the battlefield in large numbers.

At ⁤present, the development of robot‍ dogs​ can be described as‍ “ascendant”. Although ‌its‍ application is far from being able to “loosen the rope ⁤chain”, its prospects and capabilities are⁤ enough ‍to ‌attract countries to ​increase investment in further research and ⁤development. This is why many countries‌ have⁢ generally ⁢launched robot ‍dog research and development projects. And ‌some countries have put robot dogs into the army.