It\u2019s either a childhood dream come true or the beginning of a cheesy 80s movie. Either way, AI-powered dinosaurs are coming, pumped out by robotics companies looking to drum up a little prehistoric spectacle.<\/p>\n
The firms involved both hail from China, the world heavyweight<\/a> in robotics production. Within the last few weeks, the companies LimX Dynamics and Yuejiang Technology Co (Dobot) have both launched AI-powered robot dinosaur platforms, though with different approaches.<\/p>\n Dobot calls its version the Sinosauropteryx, named after the feathered, bipedal carnivore first uncovered<\/a> by Chinese farmers in 1996. The robotic version, according to the <\/a>South China Morning Post<\/a>, features bipedal locomotion, optical sensors, and pre-programmed motion-controls.<\/p>\n A highlight video which made the rounds on Douyin<\/a>, the Chinese varietal of TikTok, pokes fun at the concept, showing the near-lifelike Sinosauropteryx stalking around a museum at night. In the clip, the bot is tricked out in a feathery skin, though the SCMP says it can be changed to depict different critters from a bygone era.<\/p>\n In the future, Dobot\u2019s raptor will likely find a home interacting with kids in museums and community education centers, which there are no shortage in China<\/a>.<\/p>\n LimX, meanwhile, just shared a clip of its TRON1 bot<\/a> dressed up like a T-Rex for Halloween. While seemingly not a purpose-built robo-dino like Dobot\u2019s, the bipedal reptile is shown standing up to some bullying from its handlers, stabilizing itself and taking a guided stroll through the city.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The robo-dinos are the latest creations of China\u2019s incredibly productive<\/a> robotics industry. For years, China\u2019s robotics sector has focused on industrial automation, but has begun spinning out into consumer and educational tech as hype in the industry booms. Robot-operated bodegas, for example, are taking Beijing by storm<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now, given China\u2019s penchant for crafting artificial islands<\/a>, maybe it\u2019s only a matter of time before we see a real-life Jurassic Park.<\/p>\n