Have robots moved beyond doing only what they are told in code? China said they have pushed past that limit, presenting a machine that mirrors a soldier’s every action in near real-time.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) demonstrated the system during the 12th International Army Cadets Week in Nanjing, with a person wearing a lightweight motion-sensing device controlling the robot’s actions.
AI reportedly allowed the machine to mirror the exact movements of its operator with notable accuracy.
“Technology not only forges a more deterrent military ‘sword,’ but also lays a solid foundation for safeguarding peace,” stated Xia Yunfeng, an instructor at the event, as quoted by South China Morning Post.
Representative image showing humanoid robots performing production work in a factory. Image: @UBTECHRobotics via X
The combat robot was showcased to defense representatives from 13 countries during the event.
While production timelines and additional capabilities remain undisclosed, the PLA said the new soldier-controlled robot is part of a wider effort to modernize its fleet with AI-enabled combat platforms.
Other Robotic Solutions on Display
The PLA also highlighted other AI-driven platforms, including a bomb disposal robot operated remotely via voice commands.
It also featured a mine-clearing vehicle that uses AI visual recognition to locate buried explosives.
Earlier this year, Chinese scientists introduced a “brain controller” that can turn bees into cyborg insects, hinting at a broader push into autonomous and semi-autonomous systems.