An unusual group of robotic dogs, which despite their slender limbs weigh nearly 40 kilograms, were recently spotted going up and down stairs on Mount Tai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shandong Province in eastern China.
These robotic dogs were being tested in a loaded climbing test. Their mission is to free human porters from the perennial problem of garbage collection on Mount Tai.
Ma Yufei, head of the property management team at Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, explained that these robots are industrial-grade four-legged machines developed by a domestic technology company.
Mount Tai, considered one of the five largest mountains in China, has both historical and cultural significance. However, due to the steep terrain and narrow winding roads, large-scale mechanized cleaning operations on Mount Tai were not possible for a long time. For many years, human porters were forced to carry garbage up and down the mountain on foot.
“In 2023, Mount Tai welcomed a record 8.62 million visitors, resulting in the generation of 24,000 tons of waste,” says Ma. “The complexity and cost of garbage collection and disposal has increased significantly, making efficient cleaning a real challenge.”
Robotic dogs could help make garbage collection faster and more efficient at this famous site. These robots are designed to handle rough terrain, move confidently on slippery surfaces, easily climb stairs and cross obstacles such as wooden barriers and platforms up to 40 cm high. According to the testers, each of them can carry a maximum load of 120 kg and work for more than four hours on a single charge.
“We used to have to carry everything ourselves. But if these robots can be used after they are finalized, it will greatly ease our workload,” said Zhao Xingzhong, a janitor on Mount Tai.
During the tests, robot dogs attracted the attention of tourists
“It’s fascinating to see how modern technology is breathing new life into Mount Tai,” said one tourist. “Imagine climbing alongside these steel satellites, carrying their heavy loads with precision and grace. It’s amazing!”
The potential introduction of robot dogs on Mount Tai is part of a broader trend in China. Intelligent robots are becoming commonplace in everyday life, from autonomous delivery vehicles on city streets to gesture-controlled vending machines.
Data shows that China is the world’s largest robot manufacturer. In 2023, China produced 7.833 million service robots, an increase of 21.3 percent year-on-year. In the same year, China’s industrial robot output reached 430,000 units, accounting for nearly 73 percent of the global total.
The development of more advanced humanoid robots is also accelerating
According to a report released at the First China Humanoid Robot Manufacturing Conference in April, the humanoid robot market in China is projected to reach 75 billion yuan (US$10.5 billion) by 2029, accounting for 32.7 percent of the total global volume.
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