In a development reminiscent of the TV show Black Mirror, Chinese police have introduced a groundbreaking innovation in autonomous AI-powered crime prevention: a spherical, nearly indestructible, amphibious, heavily armed device that resembles a giant bowling ball.
Manufactured by Logon Technology Co., Ltd., based in Shenzhen, the RT-G is a versatile tool for combating crime. Equipped with AI, it can identify suspects through facial recognition, alert law enforcement to suspicious activity, and boasts an onboard arsenal that includes tear gas sprayers, a powerful sound-wave dispersal horn, and even a net gun to capture suspects. It is purportedly capable of withstanding an impact of up to four tons.
Several videos of the robot patrolling streets in various smaller Chinese cities have gone viral on social media this week. A video uploaded by Peoples Daily, China’s official state-run media, on TikTok shows a human SWAT team marching alongside the menacing bowling ball in the coastal town of Wenzhou, China. Also featured in the video is a less intimidating-looking robot dog.
The design of the RT-G is based on the work of researchers from Zhejiang University’s State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, as outlined in a research paper published last year. Originally intended for operation in harsh and unfamiliar environments such as the Moon or Mars, it is now being employed on the streets of various Chinese cities, including Chengdu where it was unveiled. The RT-G has a battery life of ten hours, can reach speeds of up to 21 miles per hour, and can withstand an impact of up to four tons.
The robot’s mobility is achieved through a heavy internal pendulum housed within its spherical shell. Fans of science fiction may be reminded of BB-8 from Star Wars: The Force Awakens or the Droidekas from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. While these droids primarily operated on land, the RT-G is designed to function both on land and in water.
Unlike humanoid robots that are prone to falling, the round shape of the RT-G ensures that it will never topple over. The researchers also noted that the spherical design prevents the robot from being immobilized by flipping it onto its back, as it does not have one.
Until now, similar devices were primarily used for space exploration. In 2001, NASA experimented with a two-story tall beach ball known as the “tumbleweed rover” for exploring the surface of Mars. In 2004, Stamford, Connecticut-based GuardBot developed a spherical drone for the European Space Agency’s mission to Mars. The United States Navy and Marine Corps began testing GuardBots for reconnaissance missions in 2015.
Whether the RT-G represents a new frontier in robotics or simply becomes a fleeting internet sensation, one thing is clear: Hollywood may have found the star of its next action blockbuster. Perhaps Rubber 2: The Tire Strikes Back?