Chinese firm unveils world’s first ride-on robot dog for all-terrain adventures

A Chinese company has unveiled the world’s first robot dog to feature the precise motor control required to carry a person safely across the most rugged terrain, making it suitable for a range of military and civilian uses, according to online commenters.

B2-W, a four-legged, wheeled robot that features precision posture control and advanced acrobatics, was showcased in a video posted by developer Unitree to its social media account on Monday.

In the video, B2-W performs mid-air flips, rotations and handstands while also demonstrating remarkable stability as it descends a nearly 60-degree gravel slope, navigates streams, climbs waterfalls and speeds across a range of terrains.

The robot is also shown temporarily retracting its hind legs, performing inverted landings, and jumping from a height of 1.9 metres (6.23ft). In standard four-legged mode, it can leap from 3 metres, absorbing the impact with its flexible legs.

In one test featured in the Hangzhou-based company’s video, the B2-W shows off its load-bearing and balancing abilities by carrying an adult rider up and down slopes with ease.

“Unitree’s B2 series robot is currently the world’s first and only robot dog designed for riding. It showcases extraordinary biomimetic performance,” said Xiaolan, a robotics reviewer, after a hands-on testing of the B2-W.