Watch China’s Military Showing Off Rifle-Toting Robot Dogs

China has recently showcased its rifle-toting robot dogs in a video that is as unnerving as one might expect. Agence France-Presse reported that these gun-carrying robodogs were unveiled during a 15-day joint military exercise with Cambodia, named “Golden Dragon.” The latest footage, released by the state-owned China Central Television (CCTV), depicts these robotic canines hopping and diving, leading reconnaissance missions, and firing their machine guns with precision.

A soldier featured in the two-minute clip commented on their potential, stating, “It can serve as a new member in our urban combat operations, replacing our members to conduct reconnaissance, identify the enemy, and strike the target.” These robodogs, specifically the $2,800 Go2 models from China-based robotics firm Unitree, can operate autonomously for two to four hours.

This development highlights the arrival of a modern, automation-driven military landscape that is both impressive and terrifying. The CCTV video also showcased a series of aerial drones, described as “intelligent unmanned equipment,” which were also equipped with machine guns and demonstrated their firepower.

While drone warfare is not new, the introduction of quadrupedal robodogs to the battlefield is a recent and unsettling addition. Although some robotics companies, such as Boston Dynamics, have pledged not to weaponize their robots, others, like the US-based Ghost Robotics, do not share this restraint.

China is not the only country exploring the use of lethal robodogs. Last year, a report revealed that the US military was experimenting with weaponized robodogs from Ghost Robotics. A spokesperson for the US Army confirmed that they are investigating the potential of human-machine integration and transformative capabilities for future combat scenarios.

In essence, these gun-toting quadrupeds symbolize a new era of AI-powered military robots designed to support or even replace human soldiers in combat. This vision of modern warfare is still taking shape, but certain elements are becoming clearer. If the latest footage sent chills down your spine, it’s because the implications are indeed unsettling.