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Journalism of Courage
Robotics is not just a sci-fi fantasy anymore, it’s a rapidly evolving reality. And some Chinese tech giants are leading the way in bringing this cutting-edge technology to the masses. One of them is the creator of the popular Redmi Note series – Xiaomi. After unleashing the Xiaomi Cyberdog in 2021, a robotic canine that was described as looking “ominous” by some thanks to its overly mechanised look, Xiaomi is back with another four-legged machine that might make real dogs question their existence.
Meet the Xiaomi Cyberdog 2, a sleeker and smarter version of its predecessor. It has a proper head and more realistic proportions that resemble a Doberman – a far cry from the Boston Dynamics Spot clone it used to be. It’s also smaller and lighter by 16% and 40%, respectively. The new design comes with new features too, such as an e-prism skin that changes colour according to its mood, and improved behaviour.
Xiaomi shared a video on Monday that showcases the amazing agility of the robot dog. It can do all kinds of tricks, such as backflips, skateboarding, and even playing fetch. Users can interact with it in various ways – gestures, touch, and voice – just like they would with a real dog. They can also ask it to follow them around as they explore the city.
But what makes CyberDog 2 truly remarkable is how it connects with humans. Unlike its older model, it acts like a real puppy, sensing, responding, and even predicting the needs and emotions of its owner. It has a high level of empathy that makes it more natural and human-like in its reactions, including showing how it feels through its body language. For instance, if its owner is happy, the CyberDog 2 reacts by happily wagging its tail and jumping around.
However, despite its impressive list of abilities, the Cyberdog isn’t meant to replace a real dog. The video demonstrates that the Cyberdog and a real dog can still live harmoniously under a roof. It’s also possible that the robot can even help the owner monitor what their dog is upto, thanks to the built-in camera that can broadcast to any connected device.
The Xiaomi Cyberdog 2 is still reportedly geared towards developers and enthusiasts, and there’s no word about a release outside of China. Its price stands at 12,999 Yuan (around Rs 1.5 lakh) in the country.
