China Debuts Armed and Coordinated 'Mechanical Wolves' in Alarming Display
China's Robot Wolves Debut in PLA Exercise
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has taken a significant step forward in the development of autonomous ground combat robots, with the recent debut of the "robot wolves" in a military exercise. This marks the first time a brigade member, Hu Te, has commanded and operated the robot wolf, and it signals a strategic shift in China's military capabilities.
The robot wolves, which were first introduced in the Airshow China 2024, are quadrupedal robots weighing approximately 154 pounds (70 kilograms). They are designed for multipurpose activities, including armed assault, surveillance, transport, and support, and are equipped with onboard weapons. In a video posted by China Central Television (CCTV), the newest iteration of the robot wolf was shown carrying a rifle on its back.
These robots are designed to operate effectively across urban, rural, and mountainous terrains, and they can climb ladders and overcome high obstacles. They can also coordinate with humans in networked formations and enhance combat operations in complex environments. In the exercise, the robot wolves were equipped with QBZ-191 rifles and portable rocket launchers, similar to the soldiers, and they were involved in precision strikes, reconnaissance, and coordinated breakthroughs supported by robot wolves and aerial drones in a hilly area.
The robot wolves are an upgrade from earlier robot dogs and are intended to replace human soldiers in life-threatening conditions, with the aim of reducing combat casualties. China leads globally in the number of industrial robot installations, with 276,000 in 2023, indicating extensive scale and investment supporting robotics technologies that likely spill into military usability.
Beyond direct military applications, China is executing a whole-of-nation approach to robotics, blending military innovation with large-scale industrial and AI integration. The country hosts significant robotics events, such as the 2025 World Robot Conference, showcasing advanced humanoid, quadrupedal, collaborative, and AI-embedded robots. Experts recognize China's combination of a large talent pool in AI/computer science and physical robotics development as creating unmatched capabilities for cost-effective and efficient robots, benefiting both civilian and military sectors.
However, Chinese military experts have expressed concerns about ethical and legal issues, specifically risks of accidental or "blind" killings on the battlefield, underscoring the complexity of autonomous lethal force deployment. This progression reflects China's broader strategic goal to dominate robotics and embodied intelligence in the near future, while actively addressing the ethical and operational challenges posed by these emerging technologies.
References:
- BBC News
- Reuters
- South China Morning Post
- CGTN
- China Daily
- The debut of the "robot wolves" in China's PLA exercise showcases their integration of science, technology, and robotics, as these devices are engineered to excel in military operations like armed assault, surveillance, transport, and support.
- China, a global leader in robotics, continues to push at the frontiers of innovation, integrating technology in military applications, and showcasing advanced robotics at events like the 2025 World Robot Conference, embodying their vision of dominating robotics and embodied intelligence in the near future.
