Robot dogs are four-legged machines that are designed to replicate the appearance, movements and behaviors of a real dog. Often equipped with sensors, cameras and artificial intelligence, these mechanical canines come in a variety of forms — from toy-like models designed for entertainment and companionship, to highly engineered systems built to perform tasks like industrial maintenance, search and rescue and even defense operations.
What Are Robot Dogs?
A robot dog is a bionic quadruped that mimics the movement, agility and balance of a real dog. Outfitted with sensors, cameras and AI-powered software, robot dogs are typically designed for very specific tasks, like navigation, surveillance or social engagement.
Robot dogs are mastering every trick in the book: walking, running, climbing, following commands and even dancing. Their low center of gravity and quadrupedal design give them unparalleled stability and balance, enabling them to navigate diverse and challenging terrains, including stairs, rubble and uneven surfaces — and all while maneuvering around obstacles, Marco da Silva, the vice president and general manager of Boston Dynamics’ famous robot dog, Spot, told Built In.
“The dog-like form factor makes these robots more versatile and agile,” da Silva said. Plus, they often have flat, horizontal backs that can carry payloads and support attachments like robotic arms or monitoring tools, “further expanding” their functionality, he added.
Okay, But Why Dogs?
The primary reason developers prefer the canine form to the human form comes down to one simple factor — the number of legs, Avik De, the co-founder and CTO of Ghost Robotics, told Built In. “Four-legged animals, like cats or dogs, usually walk on their toes, while humans and other two-legged animals walk on flat feet.”
While larger, flat feet provide better balance and control than toes alone, the bipedal form is less practical for robots. Replicating the natural balance achieved with the human hip, knee and ankle requires more complex engineering and a greater number of actuators. Quadrupeds sidestep this issue entirely. With no need for ankles or feet, four-legged creatures — particularly dogs — are a simpler source for bioinspiration, making them a lot easier (and cheaper) to roboticize. Robot dogs have a more streamlined build with fewer motors, yet still maintain a high level of agility and balance.
Engineers are building upon these anatomical advantages and refining them in the lab. Done well, De said, robot dogs don’t simply copy the animals they’re modeled after, but instead take on their best features and improve upon them using different materials and power sources than those found in nature.
“Animal bodies have evolved to serve many functions that are not relevant to a robot,” he explained. “For this reason, a four-legged robot may roughly resemble a dog’s form — and, in particular, move in a manner resembling a dog — but will not aim to copy every intricate detail of its biological structure.”
All told, robot dogs offer the ideal blend of versatility, stability and affordability, making them accessible to both large companies and individual users. This puts them in a prime position to outpace humanoid robots in terms of adoption, predicts Ding Zhao, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University who heads the lab behind the LocoMan project. “For many applications, they represent the most practical and scalable robotic form,” he told Built In.
What Can Robot Dogs Do?
Robot dogs have a clear purpose: to take on mind-numbingly repetitive or risky jobs, giving humans the freedom to focus on more meaningful work out of harm’s way.
“Dull, dirty and dangerous tasks don’t occur solely on a neatly organized factory floor; they pop up in the natural world and in existing infrastructure,” da Silva said. These robots have to be able to maneuver through rocky trails, staircases, catwalks, doors or narrow cluttered passageways. “The environment can’t conform to the machine, so the machine must be capable of adapting to the environment as it comes.”
From assembly lines to disaster zones, here are some of the things robot dogs can do:
- Search and Rescue: In emergency situations, robot dogs can navigate difficult terrain, such as rubble after a disaster, to search for survivors and relay important information back to rescue teams.
- Inspection: Robot dogs can be deployed in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments — like oil rigs or power lines — to inspect infrastructure and detect issues such as leaks or wear-and-tear.
- Military and Defense Support: Some robot dogs are used for perimeter patrols, reconnaissance, supply delivery or tactical support in various defense operations.
- Healthcare Assistance: In healthcare, robot dogs are being used as companions for the elderly or those with special needs, helping with therapy or offering a sense of presence and comfort.
- Companionship: Robot dogs serve as interactive companions for anyone, offering emotional support, entertainment and educational play while responding to basic commands. With lifelike movements and the ability to adapt to user preferences, they are a low-mainteinance alternative to pets, offering a level of engagement that closely resembles the bond of a real dog.
- Autonomous Navigation: With built-in GPS navigation, robot dogs can autonomously traverse complex environments, adjusting their movement based on the terrain and obstacles they encounter.
Examples of Robot Dogs
Below are a few examples of standout robot dogs that are leading the pack:
Spot by Boston Dynamics
Spot is a highly agile and versatile machine designed for tasks like industrial inspections, mapping and data collection in environments that may be hazardous or difficult for humans to access. With a suite of sensors (including five stereo cameras and LiDAR) it can autonomously navigate complex terrains, climb stairs and avoid obstacles. It can also travel at speeds of up to 1.6 meters, carry payloads of up to 30 pounds and scale uneven surfaces up to a 30 degree incline. And if it falls down, it can pick itself back up again. Spot’s modular design also allows for customization with tools like robotic arms, thermal imaging cameras and 3D mapping systems, making it ideal for applications in construction, energy, public safety and entertainment.
Go2 by Unitree
The latest model to join Unitree’s pack of robot dogs is Go2, a 30-pound mechanical quadruped that can traverse complex terrain at a top speed of 18 kilometers per hour. Equipped with an ultra-long-life battery that can last up to four hours per charge, this AI-enabled robot uses automatic code generation with ChatGPT to intelligently respond to commands, including “shake,” “dance,” “do a handstand” and “take a photo.” It also has a 4D LiDAR sensor — a spinning, 360-degree camera that creates continuous, real-time maps of its immediate surroundings by emitting pulses of light and measuring the time it takes for the beams to bounce back. Most recently, Go2s have been used to automate the winter pruning of grapevines in the Vinum Project, and to fetch javelin and discus from the field at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Vision 60 Q-UVG by Ghost Robotics
Built with all-terrain mobility, the Vision 60 Q-UVG can run, walk and crawl across all sorts of environments. It features a modular payload design that supports a wide range of attachments weighing up to 10 kilograms, from sensors and cameras to remotely operated weapons. With a top speed of three meters per second and autonomous or semi-autonomous capabilities, this mid-size robot dog is engineered to survey restricted areas, inspect warehouses and — with unmanned rifles or targeting devices strapped to its back — assist in defense operations.
ANYmal by ANYbotics
ANYmal is an autonomous, inspection robot designed for facility maintenance. Equipped with a 360-degree LiDAR scanner, thermal imaging, eight cameras and an ultrasonic microphone, it can navigate multi-floor plants, collecting critical data in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas along its patrol route. Paced at a “normal walking speed,” ANYmal’s run time can last from 90 to 120 minutes on a single charge, according to ANYbotics. Its rugged (and waterproof) design, plus its ability to scale uneven surfaces, make it ideal for oil and gas, utilities and mining industries.
CyberDog 2 by Xiaomi
Cyberdog 2 is Xiaomi’s second attempt at a bio-inspired robotic companion. Unlike other models that prioritize utility in workplaces or combat zones, Cyberdog 2 is a social robot that can tag along, respond to gesture or voice commands and perform tricks — including rolling over and backflips — as any ordinary pet dog would. Featuring 19 precision sensors for instant feedback and a Doberman-like head, this not-so-furry friend can also control smart home appliances, such as changing TV channels or turning on an air purifier, thanks to its IoT connectivity.
Bittle X by Petoi
Standing about eight inches tall and weighing just half a pound, Bittle is an educational robot that can fit in the palm of your hand. Developed by Petoi, it features customizable components, like servo motors and sensors, that are built on an open source framework, allowing users to program voice-controlled behaviors with popular scripts such as C++, Python and block-based languages. Bittle’s user-friendly interface enables hands-on learning for STEM classes, robotics and coding camps and team building exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are robot dogs used for?
Robot dogs are used for tasks like:
- Search and rescue missions
- The inspection of things like oil rigs and power lines
- Military and defense support
- Companionship in the home or in hospitals
- Autonomous navigation
Are robot dogs armed?
Not necessarily, but they can be. Ghost Robotics’ Vision 60 Q-UVG has a modular design that allows weapons to be mounted directly onto its back and swapped out as needed, including, for example, Sword Defense Systems’ special purpose unmanned rifle.
How much does the Boston robotic dog cost?
The price of the Spot robot is not listed on Boston Dynamics’ website, but it reportedly costs about $75,000.
How fast can robot dogs move?
The speed of robot dogs vary widely depending on their design and functionality. Unitree’s Go2 is one of the fastest robot dogs on the market today, achieving speeds of up to 3.7 meters per second, or 8.5 miles per hour.
