A domestically developed six-legged robotic dog has successfully completed a series of tests in Antarctica near China’s Zhongshan Station, marking a significant advancement in polar research technology.
Footage shared by CCTV shows the robotic dog navigating icy terrain with stability while carrying a box on its back. Developers designed special shoes for the robot to endure temperatures as low as -40°C, providing anti-slip capabilities and minimizing ice surface damage.
“The material of the shoe itself can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C… ensuring the robotic dog can walk on ice as if it were flat ground,” said Mao Shijie, head of the Antarctic robotic team and director of the Lenovo Research Institute’s Shanghai branch.
Equipped with a thermally insulated battery, the robot can function for two hours in extreme cold. For longer tasks, additional batteries extend its operation to 4-6 hours, essential for ice surface detection and supply transportation.
Capable of carrying loads between 70 and 100 kilograms, the robot’s future applications include safety detection and fieldwork operations. Mao highlighted its critical role in carrying an ice crevice detector to ensure team safety.
Researchers plan to upgrade the robot, integrating it with underwater robots and drones for complex tasks like multi-site sampling.