The robotic dogs are manufactured by Ghost Robotics.

The U.S. Air Force recently tested robotic dogs to conduct a reconnaissance (recce) as a part of its thrust to boost the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The Ghost Robotics Vision 60 robots, four-legged, headless dog-like mechanical robots, emerged from inside an Air Force LC-130 Hercules transport. The aircraft had flown from Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado to Nellis, carrying with it airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing. (Popular Mechanics)

Advanced Battle Management System

The dogs are a part of an Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) that will use AI and data analytics during warfare.

After disembarking from the rear of the aircraft, the dogs trotted off to sniff out any signs of danger within the area’s perimeter. Of course, defenders control the dogs remotely. The dogs are agile enough to climb heights and can also negotiate various types of terrains and surfaces.

“These robotic dogs are a new technology that we’re testing as part of the exercise,” said Master Sgt. Lee Boston, 321st CRS loadmaster and the CR team chief for the exercise, to Popular Mechanics. “The dogs give us visuals of the area, all while keeping our defenders closer to the aircraft.”

These quadrupeds have advantages over real animals. They have more range, are almost indestructible, and can provide highly superior visuals of the target.

Robot dogs deployed by German pharma company Merck

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, the FT reported that the German pharma group Merck (NYSE: MRK) had deployed a robotic dog for carrying out “routine work” in incineration plants. (FT)

The dog, named Spot, inspects thermal exhaust treatment facilities at a plant processing solvents that cannot be released into the environment.

SoftBank Group’s Boston Dynamics manufactures Spot.

Merck installed smart sensors and infrared cameras so it could accomplish tasks such as look under sinks, take temperature readings, read gauges, and assess water levels.

In the future, Spot would be trained to sound an alarm if it finds defects and or noise vibrations.

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Image Credit: Ghost Robotics Twitter Account