NOVOSIBIRSK, February 3. /TASS/. Robotic dogs will be the first to be widely used by the military on the front lines due to their high cross-country capability. After this, the introduction of humanoid robots will become possible, Alexey Okunev, Director of the Institute of Intelligent Robotics at Novosibirsk State University (NSU), told TASS.
"The devices we’ve developed so far - rovers, cars, and so on - can only travel on specially prepared roads. Dogs are closer to us [in terms of mobility]. They can navigate a much wider range of conditions than, for example, a car. A combat zone definitely requires a versatile vehicle that can navigate through forests, swamps, and jump over obstacles, so robotic dogs will be the first to be used," the expert said.
He added that Boston Dynamics had previously demonstrated robotic dogs capable of carrying military cargo and navigating complex terrain, highlighting the high transport potential of such robots. Okunev explained that following the deployment of robotic dogs, humanoid robots would be introduced for military use. According to the expert, humanoid robots designed for free movement will certainly be in demand on the battlefield. Furthermore, these humanoids should be sufficiently autonomous and not require continuous recharging, Okunev noted.
Other countries are also actively deploying robots on the battlefield to enhance the effectiveness of military operations and reduce risks to personnel. For instance, the United States is developing the Replicator initiative, aimed at mass-producing autonomous combat robots with artificial intelligence capabilities. France is implementing Project Pendragon, designed to create the first robotic combat team capable of semi-autonomous operations. China is testing four-legged combat robots ("robo-wolves") that can perform missions in urban environments, on plateaus, and in mountainous terrain.