Bold opening hook: A new generation of robot dogs is stepping into the global spotlight, not just as gadgets but as potential frontline players in inspection, delivery, and industrial tasks. But what happens when a Chinese robotics startup boldly pushes its four-legged creation onto the international stage?
China’s Pudu Robotics broadens its overseas reach with a striking robot dog
At Tokyo’s International Robot Exhibition, a pale-grey, near-one-meter-tall quadruped attracted attention as it navigated the venue. The machine descended a short set of steps with measured precision, then raised its right foreleg in a gesture reminiscent of a friendly greeting. It rolled through the exhibition hall on wheels, deftly sidestepping obstacles in its path.
This four-legged model, named the D5, represents the latest release from Chinese robotics company Pudu Robotics, unveiled on Wednesday at IREX — a major biennial industry event hosted at Tokyo Big Sight from December 3–6.
The D5 marks Pudu’s second robotic dog model, following a smaller, less agile version released in 2022. Industry-wide progress in motion-control software, core components, and embodied intelligence has accelerated in recent years, driven in part by competitive advances from Chinese peers such as Unitree Robotics and Deep Robotics. Their products have helped bring robot dogs into more real-world environments.
“Robot dogs hold strong potential across many applications, from inspection and delivery to a variety of industry-specific functions that can be tailored, powered by high-performance computing,” noted Felix Zhang Tao, Pudu’s founder and CEO, in a conversation with The Post.
According to Pudu, the D5 runs on Nvidia’s Orin processor and arms itself with four 120-degree fisheye cameras alongside front-and-rear lidar sensors. The robot is designed for autonomous operation across diverse terrains and adverse weather, with self-developed joint modules and motors powering its movements, Zhang added.
Shenzhen-based Pudu has built a reputation for a broad lineup of service robots, including systems for delivering meals in restaurants and hotels, as well as cleaning and factory logistics machines. The company reports having sold more than 100,000 robots to over 80 countries and regions to date.
