In recent years, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology, robotic dogs, or quadruped robots, have increasingly made their presence felt in the daily lives of Chinese people, thanks to their appealing appearance and multifunctional capabilities.
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In early summer, on a hiking trail in a mountainous area in Beijing's Shunyi district, a gray robotic dog labeled "fire prevention patrol" can be seen accompanying forest firefighters on their rounds.
This next-generation patrol robotic dog, developed by Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou, officially joined the forest and grassland fire-control command office of Shunyi district on March 13 this year. Weighing about 12.5 kilograms, the robotic dog integrates multiple functions including patrolling, real-time communication, and early warning. Equipped with high-precision sensors, it can detect risks in real time. It also forms part of a three-dimensional governance network linked to the district-level emergency command center, bringing a fresh perspective to forest fire prevention efforts.
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In February, the fire and rescue detachment of Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, added two robotic dogs to its workforce. Capable of operating continuously for 3.6 hours with an endurance range of more than 15 kilometers, the robotic dogs provide real-time high-definition videos, detect flammable and toxic gases and transmit relevant data, and track heat sources even through dense smoke.
In April, China's first "robotic dog + microfluidics" mobile water quality monitoring platform was unveiled in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
At the Mount Tai scenic area in Shandong Province, robotic dogs serve as "intelligent porters" to carry heavy items and remove waste.
Meanwhile, in February, a fourth-generation intelligent robotic dog named Xiaoxi joined a nursing home in Hangzhou as a "caregiver."
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