[Reading Science] Robot Dog Sold on AliExpress... Transforming into 'RoboSoldier'

Ukrainian Forces Prepare to Deploy Robot Dogs in Combat Against Russia
Chinese-Made Robot Dogs Modified for Reconnaissance
Possibility of Conversion to Attack Use Remains
'Killer Robot' Ethical Controversy Unavoidable

The Ukrainian military has unveiled a robotic dog being prepared for deployment on the battlefield.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

British author Frederick Forsyth's 1974 novel "Dogs of War" dealt with a European mercenary unit hired by a British businessman to overthrow the government of the fictional African country "Zangaro." Although mercenaries were referred to as 'dogs' in the novel, advances in science and technology are creating a situation where 'dogs' made of robots are being deployed in combat.

Attempts to integrate robots into the military have been ongoing steadily. However, how they could be utilized in actual combat remained uncertain. The turning point is the war in Ukraine. As Ukraine and Russia have been engaged in a war of attrition for over two years, the importance of combat involving robots is increasing.

Ukraine is recently preparing for combat using advanced technology. While drones are being used to attack Russian territory, robot weapons are also being prepared to attack Russia on the ground. This is an attempt to compensate for the shortage of combat troops compared to Russia by utilizing advanced science and technology such as robots and drones.

◆ Combat Robot Dogs Unveiled by the Ukrainian Military = The Ukrainian military has already deployed the unmanned ground combat robot "Lyut 2.0." This robot, equipped with four wheels and a turret mounted with a machine gun, moves quickly over rough terrain and supports infantry. It is known to be produced by a Ukrainian company and can travel up to 20 km. The robot costs ?12,200 (approximately 21.3 million KRW) per unit, making it relatively affordable.

Combat robot Ryut deployed by the Ukrainian military

While Lyut is a combination of an autonomous vehicle and an armored vehicle, the robot dog is considered a catalyst that could change the concept of robot participation in combat.

In early August, the Ukrainian military unveiled the quadruped walking robot dogs "BAD one" and "BAD two," planned for deployment on the battlefield. According to the released footage, the robot dogs prepared by the Ukrainian military freely move through dense foliage performing reconnaissance missions. Depending on the situation, they can press their bodies close to the ground to take cover, hop around, or perform tumbling-like maneuvers to evade enemy sight. Their small size also makes it easy to hide their bodies.

The footage captured by the robots can be obtained remotely to monitor enemy movements. Robots are also suitable for mine detection tasks, taking on dangerous work that humans would otherwise have to do, thereby reducing the risk of casualties.

The videos released by Ukraine also showed that the robot dogs could carry guns or ammunition. The robots can quietly supply about 7 kg of ammunition or medical supplies and can operate for about two hours on a single charge, making them highly useful.

Even if a robot is captured by Russian forces, it is equipped with a function to remotely delete all data and disable the robot.

The robot dog that the Ukrainian military is researching for deployment in combat is a modified version of a robot made by a Chinese company. This robot, sold on AliExpress, can be purchased for as low as 600,000 won for the low-end model. Photo by AliExpress capture

◆ Low-Cost Robots Made in China Changing the Battlefield Environment = The cost issue cannot be overlooked when deploying robots in combat. These robots are civilian products made by Chinese companies and modified for military use. They can even be purchased on AliExpress, a Chinese online distribution channel. The cheapest robot costs only about 600,000 KRW. Of course, the robots used by the Ukrainian military are known to cost around $2,000. If this cost can block enemy forces or destroy expensive enemy weapons, it is considered a remarkable achievement for the numerically inferior Ukrainian forces.

The robot dogs are produced in China and then modified by a British company to transform into true battlefield robots. During this process, their operating time, movement range, and speed have been significantly improved.

However, there is a difference in perspective between the UK and Ukraine regarding robot dogs. The UK side refused to add functions for attacking humans to the robots, but Ukraine emphasizes the necessity of attack capabilities. Because of this, there is speculation that Ukraine might use a strategy of installing explosives on the robots to attack trenches. This is part of the evolutionary process toward killer robots.

Ukraine's Minister of Strategic Industries, Oleksandr Kamyshin, did not hide this intention. In July, he stated that Ukraine is concentrating resources to establish a new robot army. At the NATO summit held in Washington, USA, he said, "We will see more robots on the front lines in the future. Robots are expected to become game changers within 12 months."

According to Minister Kamyshin, currently, 250 startups in Ukraine are developing various unmanned ground vehicles, and the military authorities are testing about 50 types of ground systems.

An attack robot dog of the Chinese military participating in training. Photo by China CCTV

◆ Can Combat Robots Escape Ethical Controversy? = There are several issues with the use of combat robot dogs. China may recognize that robot dogs are being used as weapons and could restrict exports.

If access to low-cost Chinese robot dogs is blocked, expensive robots manufactured by Western companies will have to be used. For example, the robot dogs developed by Boston Dynamics in the US cost around $70,000, which is less price-competitive compared to Chinese robots. Additionally, there is a possibility that China could control the wireless remote control functions installed in the robots and extract related information. Ukraine is reportedly modifying the robot dogs considering these points.

Recently, China caused controversy by showcasing a robot dog equipped with an automatic rifle on its back during military exercises with Cambodia. Experts say that the appearance of robot dogs in multinational joint exercises shows the Chinese government's confidence that the related technology has matured sufficiently. China is known to be mass-producing attack robot dogs.

There have also been reports that US Marine special forces showcased weaponized robot dogs.

If robot dogs are deployed in combat and cause casualties, ethical issues may arise. If opposition to killer robot development spreads, international public opinion against them may form.

The robotic dog featured in the "Hated in the Nation" episode of the Netflix series "Black Mirror," which surprised viewers. Photo by Netflix

Similar cases have already occurred. The robot dog attacking humans in the "Metal Head" episode of the Netflix series "Black Mirror," which deals with situations where technological development outpaces human ethics, left a strong impression.

Subsequently, the New York City Police Department withdrew plans to deploy robot dogs for patrol after strong public backlash. There are arguments that the introduction of 'RoboCop' or 'RoboSoldier' capable of threatening humans is premature.

Boston Dynamics, the originator of quadruped walking robots, announced in 2022 that it would not weaponize robots for combat purposes. The company expressed concern that "weaponizing robots would damage public trust in the technology."

CNN criticized the combat robot dogs developed by the Chinese military as "turning man's best friend into a killing machine."