Copyright Interesting Engineering
China’s momentum is unstoppable when creating different types of robots. In another interesting development, Dobot, a Shenzhen-based robotics company, has teased with a video of a lifelike robotic model of a small, feathered dinosaur. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that the robot is powered by multimodal interaction, environmental perception, and motion-control technologies. The company says the robot could “walk, breathe, emit low murmurs and interact intelligently with its surroundings and visitors”. This creation is likely Dobot’s newest effort to expand the commercial use of robotics beyond humanoid models. Dobot aims to use this device in the tourism and education markets, including museums, classrooms, and theme parks. Not many details disclosed The Sinosauropteryx was chosen as the first model because it was the first feathered dinosaur fossil ever found. It was a small, bipedal theropod (meat-eating) dinosaur that lived approximately 130 million years ago, and its remains were discovered in 1996 in Chaoyang, Liaoning province, from the Yixian Formation. It had a long tail (with many vertebrae) that helped it balance, and powerful legs for running. The 1996 discovery of the Sinosauropteryx was pivotal in paleontology, showcasing the close evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and birds. At the moment, not many details have been revealed about this new dinosaur-like robot. Dobot has not yet disclosed the pricing or specific order details for the initial Sinosauropteryx model. Reportedly, the company intends to reuse the fundamental robotic core — which houses the complex multimodal interaction and motion-control technology — to create a diverse range of new figures. This approach involves simply changing the exterior “skin” and appearance to transform the base robot into different ancient, mythological, or cultural figures. Robots beyond manufacturing use China’s robotics industry is actively diversifying its applications to generate new revenue. The nation is exploring the commercial potential of robots in consumer sectors such as tourism and education, rather than just in traditional manufacturing and logistics. While Dobot explores non-humanoid figures, other Chinese companies focus on lifelike human-like features. For instance, AheadForm Technology developed a humanoid robotic head capable of expressing a wide range of realistic emotions. The company is also known for designing unique, stylized robots that resemble “Elf-like” figures with large ears. Despite this strategic push, most large orders originate from the manufacturing sector. Recent deals evidence it. For instance, UBTech secured a $22.25 million contract for its Walker S2 humanoid robots in automobile production and data collection. AgiBot is deploying nearly 100 Yuangzheng A2-W humanoid robots to a major auto-parts supplier. AgiBot and Unitree Robotics also secured a combined 124 million yuan in orders from China Mobile, SCMP reported. Meanwhile, Dobot joined the humanoid race with its Atom model in March. The company’s financial health was driven by the growth in revenue from its six-axis cobot products.
