The rifle-wielding robots that can launch grenades: China reveals deadly 'attack machines' to combat terrorism
- Machines unveiled at this week's World Robot Conference in Beijing
- The three robots can coordinate with each other on the battlefield
- They include a reconnaissance robot, an ordnance disposal machine and an attack robot, with the full set being sold for $235,600 (£156,000)
A series of 'attack robots' designed to fight terrorism have been unveiled in China.
Among them is a toy-sized machine that carries rifles and grenade launchers for use on the front line.
The attack robot is one three of new 'anti-terror' devices unveiled by the nation, the Xinhua news agency said today.
A series of 'attack robots' designed to fight terrorism have been unveiled in China at this week's 2015 World Robot Conference in Beijing
The robots, which were unveiled at this week's 2015 World Robot Conference in Beijing, 'can coordinate with each other on the battlefield.'
One of the robots will be used for initial reconnaissance missions.
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It has the ability to detect poisonous gases, harmful chemicals and explosives, and send that data back to soldiers.
If the reconnaissance mission finds anything wrong, another robot – known as an ordnance disposal (EOD) machine - would be sent to tackle the situation.
One of the robots will be used for initial reconnaissance missions. It has the ability to detect poisonous gases, harmful chemicals and explosives, and send that data back to soldiers
If the reconnaissance mission finds anything wrong, another robot – known as an ordnance disposal (EOD) machine - would be sent to tackle the situation
The EOD robot weighs about 12 kg and can be carried on a soldier's back. It's designed to help them on solo missions.
For more dangerous situations an 'attacker robot' armed with 'minor-calibre weapons, recoilless rifles and grenade launchers' will be deployed.
'With a sighting telescope, a trigger and a safe installed, the attacker can hit its target from a long distance,' Xinhua said.
It is thought that the local police force in Beijing is among the buyers for the three robots.
For more dangerous situations an 'attacker robot' armed with 'minor-calibre weapons, recoilless rifles and grenade launchers' will be deployed, the agency said
'With a sighting telescope, a trigger and a safe installed, the attacker can hit its target from a long distance,' Xinhua said. It is throught that the local police force in Beijing is among the buyers for the three robots
The set of three robots is priced at 1.5 million yuan (£156,000 or $235,600) by manufacturers HIT Robot Group based Harbin.
However, there's no mention of how China will prevent the robots from falling into the wrong hands, according to a report in the Telegraph.
'Apart from anti-terror operations, they can also be applied in firefighting, public security, forestry and agriculture,' the company's sales manager Chen Deqiang said, according to Xinhua.
China has been on national alert to deal with a terrorist attack for a number of months.
In particular. China's government says it faces a serious threat from Islamist militants and separatists in energy-rich Xinjiang.
The region, which on the border of central Asia, has seen hundreds die in violence in recent years.
CHINESE MILITARY COULD ONE DAY USE MIND-CONTROLLED ROBOTS
China has been training students at a military academy to use headsets that detect and interpret the brain activity of the wearer, allowing them to control the machines
Forget joysticks and exoskeletons, the future of warfare could see robot armies controlled using just a commander's mind.
China has been training students at a military academy to use headsets that detect and interpret the brain activity of the wearer, allowing them to control the machines.
At a demonstration at the People's Liberation Army Information Engineering University in August, students used the device to send robots trundling in different directions.
They were also able to turn the robot's heads and get them to pick up objects.
The technology uses a brain computer interface known as a electroencephalograph, which uses electrodes embedded in a cap to detect tiny changes in the electrical activity of the brain.
By training a computer to recognise particular patterns that accompany commands, such as turn left or turn right, this can be then transmitted to control the robot.
The technology is being developed at the military academy's laboratory for brain-machine coordination.
Among the other projects being developed at the laboratory are drones that can also be controlled using a brain headset.
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