US raises alarm over China's combat robot dogs

US lawmakers have expressed serious concerns about the recently unveiled Chinese robotic dogs that carry machine guns.

Here's What We Know

At a hearing last week, members of the House of Representatives proposed policy solutions that would require the Pentagon to assess the potential use of China's four-legged unmanned ground vehicle in future conflicts.

The Secretary of Defence would also be required to investigate and report on the threat to US national security posed by this development.

The proposal was immediately adopted without objection by any member of the House. However, in order to be implemented, it will have to withstand a thorough review by senators.

The Senate is expected to take up the House proposal and the annual defence authorisation bill within the next few weeks.

Last month, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) demonstrated a robotic war dog with an automatic rifle mounted on its back. The video, filmed during military exercises in Cambodia, demonstrates the ability of the four-legged unmanned platform to walk, jump, lie down and move backwards like a real dog.

Source: The Defence Post