Chinese robotic dog maker Unitree distances itself from Russian report showing a mounted rocket launcher

In response to a report that appeared to show the Go1 robotic dog with a mounted rocket launcher, Unitree Robotics said its products are only for civilian use

Unitree is the latest Chinese technology company to be caught up in a controversy related to products being used by Russia’s military, after DJI

Reading Time:3 minutes

After Russian media reported on the weaponisation of a China-made robotic dog, Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics said it was unable to track the sourcing of its Go1, blaming resellers. Photo: Handout

Published: 10:00pm, 16 Aug 2022Updated: 10:33pm, 16 Aug 2022

The Chinese maker of a robotic dog distanced itself on Tuesday from reports that its product was being used in Russia for military purposes, saying it was not aware of such uses and that the robot is for civilian purposes only.

Chen Li, co-founder of Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics, told the South China Morning Post that all the company’s products are for civilians. Unitree does not support any military-related applications, he said.

A video report from RIA Novosti circulating online on Monday showed a robotic dog with striking similarities to Unitree’s Go1 carrying a rocket launcher at the Army-2022 convention, a defence trade fair in Moscow sponsored by the Russian Defence Ministry.

The robot is capable of target shooting and transporting weapons, the report said, in addition to delivering medicine in hostile environments.

Some social media users were quick to point out the similarities of the robotic dog shown in the RIA Novosti report with a mounted rocket launcher and Unitree Robotics’ Go1. Photo: Handout

The report has forced Unitree to become the latest Chinese technology company to address questions about business with Russia after the country invaded neighbouring Ukraine in February.

While the robotic dog shown at the convention was covered in a black suit, social media posts noted the similarities to Unitree’s Go1, which was also reported by PC Magazine, an online publication run by digital media firm Ziff Davis.