A Curious Encounter Between a Real Dog and an AI Robot

A fascinating incident recently captured the attention of onlookers in west London's Holland Park. A real dog, seemingly puzzled by its encounter with an AI robot dog, was seen navigating the streets while its owner held its lead. The footage shows the black-and-white dog cautiously maintaining distance from the white, motorised robotic companion. The real dog’s ears flapped up in surprise, and it began barking as the robot dog stood on its hind legs, moving closer while still on a lead.

The real dog continued to bark but also wagged its tail, showing a mix of confusion and curiosity. It approached and then retreated from the robot, demonstrating a playful yet cautious interaction. The dog's owner, dressed in a grey top and jeans, remained calm, holding onto the lead throughout the unusual encounter.

As the robot dog moved closer, the real dog adopted a playful downward dog position, clearly intrigued by the strange creature. Onlookers were equally baffled, watching as the robot dog performed a remarkable paw-stand on its front two legs. The person filming the event provided a humorous commentary, saying things like, "Dog sees the future and he is like 'nah'. That is hilarious," and "the dog is like what is going on. You are on four legs but this should not be happening."

The Go2 AIR Robotic Dog: An Advanced Bionic Creation

The robot dog in question is the Go2 AIR model produced by the Chinese company Unitree Robotics. Priced at around £2,000, it is described as an "advanced intelligent bionic quadruped robot" capable of performing complex movements. These include upside-down walking, adaptive roll-over, and obstacle climbing. The robot uses 4D LIDAR L1 sensors to assess its surroundings, which is a form of remote sensing technology that uses reflected light to create 3D models and maps of nearby objects.

In addition to its physical capabilities, the Go2 AIR is equipped with a camera where the dog's face would be, featuring an ultra-wide angle lens for high-quality photos. Users can view these photos through an accompanying smartphone app and even see a live feed from the robot's perspective. The robot also utilizes a large language model, allowing it to respond to commands and questions in a human-like manner.

Features and Limitations of the Go2 AIR

Despite its impressive features, the Go2 AIR has some limitations. It cannot be walked in the rain due to its lack of waterproofing and has a battery life of one to two hours. However, it is designed to learn the unique characteristics of its user, aiming to become their "closest friend." The exact information it uses for this purpose remains unclear.

The name of the robotics line, Go2, may be a reference to the ancient Chinese board game Go, known for its complexity and skill. The robot's design, with its four legs and animal-like agility, is similar to Boston Dynamics' Spot robot.

Unitree Robotics and Its Innovations

Unitree Robotics, based in Hangzhou, China, is a major player in the robotics industry. The company has also developed the Unitree G1 robot, which weighs 35 kilograms (77 lbs) and stands 1.32 metres tall (4.33 ft). With 23 degrees of freedom in its joints, the G1 offers more mobility than the average human.

Behind its blank face, the robot houses an advanced perception system, including a 3D LiDAR sensor and a depth-sensing camera. This makes it one of the most advanced commercially available humanoid robots globally.

Controversies and Public Reactions

Despite its technological advancements, the Unitree robot has faced some controversies. In March, the robot went viral after a young boy was slapped across the face by a rogue robot in Shaanxi Province, China. Earlier in the year, a robot kicked a man in the groin while mimicking his movements. In November, a bot attempted to cook a stir-fry but ended up flinging the food on the floor and slipping over in the mess.