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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.
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.
