China is obsessed with robots to the point that has made its development a priority. That interest goes beyond humanoid robotsand if something is being tested in the Asian giant, it is that, perhaps, we should put more interest in the ‘robodogs‘that in the’robowaiters‘.
It all comes from a video that went viral a few days ago in which we can see a quadruped robot in the style of Boston Dynamics Spot helping to extinguish a fire:
The video spread across several networks with comments of the style of “we should apply this soon in the West” and, living in a country where every summer hectares are burned without controlI can only think about how the priorities in robotics should be more focused on these types of devices than on continuing to make demonstrations while someone controlling the robots with a controller.
Let’s go with the robot in question. One of the many Chinese robotics companies is Unitreebut this one is not like the others: it is about the new Chinese technological gem. Its humanoid robots are taking giant steps, but the firefighter robot is the Unitree B2.
It is a modular robot to which emergency and rescue teams can attach a water cannon, a backpack that receives the supply of liquid or foam and a series of nozzles to launch a pressurized jet or disperse the water, depending on the situation. Also modules to enter buildings and evaluate the level of gaseslocate floodlights or carry supplies in difficult terrain thanks to its load capacity and reinforced joints.
But this goes beyond a specific model and, as we say, is part of China’s strategy in robot development.
Steel firefighters and the difference in mentality compared to the US
Whether they have more or less autonomy, these robots allow something key: do not expose firefighters in phases of the operation that may be dangerous. For example, in conditions where the wind can be another enemy, causing the fire to spread uncontrollably. Also, although the robot is seen in the open field in the video, this tool is most useful in fires in buildings that can collapse due to flames.
Beyond the Unitree model, there is a company that has been developing this type of robots for years, such as CITIC (with a caterpillar model similar to that of other crews) or DEEP Robotics (with another quadruped robot, the X30). And they are devices that are not only designed to be deployed in emergency situations, but also to patrol in critical environments.
One of those sectors is the petrochemical sector. Shandong Shenchi Chemical Group account with “inspector” robots that constantly patrol the hallways of the production workshops. They have sensors that allow you to anticipate a potential problem, such as leak sensors, as well as video, audio and temperature analysis systems. The data they collect is analyzed in real time to make decisions and, if something happens, they are the first to carry out containment efforts.
Obviously, the ones that attract the most attention are the robot dogs. Firefighters in cities such as Qingdao, Changsha they already have these new companions in arms that do not replace humans, but rather complement them. They are weapons against fire, but thanks to cameras, sensors and antennas, they can transmit all kinds of information in real time to the operators so that they can decide what is the best way to proceed.
And there are not only robots: there are also drones connected to water cannons and armed with missiles that disperse foam to appease the flames. While robodogs are the ones that climb stairs and do work ‘inside’ danger, drones can reach the upper floors of buildings more quickly.
Apparently, this is a win-win for everyone. Firefighters have new tools that help them do their jobs more efficiently, exposing themselves less to some dangers. The companies that build them sell these robots and China continues to push the narrative that they are leading the development of these devices.
and there is market: HE esteem that the segment of fire extinguishing robots in the country it was about 100 million dollars in 2024 and will double by 2030. Within the Government’s technological development programs, the priority development of robots and other high-performance equipment for immediate use is contemplated, incentivizing companies to carry out the relevant innovations.
because here China has a very specific vision and very far from the Western one: robots have to get to work right now. We have already seen companies that are acting as last mile delivery drivers for businesses, ‘releasing’ their robots in the subwaysharing cars with humans until they reach their destination.
Also guide robodogs to help blind people. Because yes, there are already military forces here with robot dogs, but just as before they had remote-controlled drones to defuse bombs, for example.
And the approach is very similar to what we are seeing with the development of artificial intelligence: while the US continues to develop and developmaking AI a capital issue for the country in terms of technological supremacy, and being tremendously expensive, China encourages its companies to create a AI that can be marketed as soon as possible.
My colleague Javier Pastor I was commenting on this a few weeks ago.: While the US seeks to achieve AGI – artificial general intelligence -, China wants AI to be used in everyday life. In the end, the Asian giant is not alone in this and Japan is also testing the use of robots to extinguish fires that would be of great help in many other corners of the world.
Images | Unitree
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