Humanoid robots could “continue to transform humanity’s perception of the future of warfare”, according to an article in the official newspaper of China’s military, which examined the advantages of cutting-edge technology on the battlefield.
The commentary, titled “What are the combat advantages of humanoid robots?”, published on Thursday in People’s Liberation Army Daily, said that humanoid robots could “combine tactical flexibility and strategic deterrence in the era of intelligent warfare”.
Referring to previous breakthroughs in robotics in the country’s civilian sector, the commentary added that their bionic structure could adapt to “complex battlefield environments”.
The article, published under the name Li Qi, did not disclose the author’s title or credentials.
The commentary pointed to China’s Tien Kung Ultra – a 1.8-metre (5.9 feet) robot – that won the world’s first half-marathon for humanoid robots in Beijing in March. It said the performance of the robot, developed by the state-backed Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, also known as X-Humanoid, had proven the “advantages of a bipedal design in navigating battlefield environments such as ruins and staircases”.
The article also mentioned an unnamed Russian robot that could shoot guns.
