Robot dog with an RPG-26 grenade launcher “made in Russia” turned out to be Chinese

At the arms exhibition “Army-2022” in Russia, a “robot dog” armed with an RPG-26 anti-tank grenade launcher was shown. Russia once again showed its technological breakthrough “ANALOGOVNET”, but the sock-wrapped robot dog seems to originate in China and can be purchased on Aliexpress.

The demonstration showed how the robot dog walked back and forth and sat down before moving. But can the robot dog withstand the weight of an RPG-26 anti-tank grenade launcher with ammunition, and can the dog withstand the shock of firing a weapon and even aim from afar?

The frame of the robot dog is hidden by black fabric socks. While this may seem like a strange attempt to create tactical visibility, it is far more likely that it would be necessary to hide the robot’s origin. Judging by the location and shape of the robot dog’s “eyes”, its silver color, overall shape and proportions, it seems clear that the robot shown was actually sold in Chinese markets.

Indeed, the dog itself bears a striking resemblance to Unitree Robotic’s UnitreeYushuTechnologyDog, which can be purchased online for $2,700. Thus, it seems quite clear that the robot was not developed by the Russian manufacturer, which exhibited itself at the Army 2022 fair.

According to the “developers” of “robot dog”, the dog “has the ability to shoot at targets and carry weapons, ‘reconnaissance’ and deliver drugs. Moreover, the developers believe that the dog was “designed using bionics – principles, structures and mechanics unique to the animal world, and therefore particularly in dynamics.” They claim to look like dogs.