You may have heard of AI robots, but have you heard of AI robot-dogs? At the January 2025 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Hangzhou Yushu Company in China showcased the latest model of its quadrupedal wheeled robot, Go2.
China’s robot dog has been busy lately. Last summer, it danced the “Cyber Lion Dance (赛博醒狮)” together with the Emei Girls Kung Fu School and the Qiaotou Lion Dance Troupe. The performance demonstrated an innovative application of AI: preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
It also went viral on social media, inspiring encore performances. To celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, AI robot dogs have been performing across China. The performances’ use of traditional Chinese suona and drum music, and historic Chinese costumes have attracted the attention of foreign audiences. The robot-dog dances are also on-brand for civic leaders, demonstrating China’s traditional culture, soft power, and modern technology.
Of course, these robot dogs can do more than just dance. Some have military applications, like Yushu Technology’s o2 robot, which can simulate drone strikes. The B2-W dog boasts impressive off-road abilities and can be used for extreme environmental testing.
Meanwhile, as China accelerates the production and training of its robot dogs, the U.S. hasn’t let sleeping robot-dogs lie. The U.S. military has been developing and testing robot dogs, armed with AI-enabled rifles. Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot, boasts similar functionalities to the Go2, prompting an inevitable and hilarious “ultimate robot-dog face-off” on YouTube.
Step aside, Space Race. Let the robot-dog race begin.
