During the 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC), Xiaomi surprised the public by revealing its latest tecnologic innovation: CyberDog 2. This is the second generation of the robot dog, it was initially launched in 2021.
When the original CyberDog was introduced, many compared it to the scarier version of Boston Dynamics’ famous Spot robot.
However, the CyberDog 2 appears to bring a slightly friendlier appearance, while still maintaining its futuristic and technological aura.
The new model was displayed at Xiaomi’s stand at MWC, where visitors had the opportunity to see it up close and even interact with it in some limited demonstrations.
What does Xiaomi’s robot dog do?
Its head has been described by some as similar to that of a Doberman, with cropped and pointed ears, which may create a feeling of strangeness for some.
However, the highlight of the demonstrations was the robot dog’s ability to perform training tricks and even dance, reminiscent of the skill of the robot dog. Boston Dynamics in moving in an agile and fluent manner.
One of the most notable changes compared to the previous version is the shape of CyberDog’s head. Now it looks more like a real dog, abandoning the flat and peculiar appearance that characterized the previous one.
While the CyberDog 2 was praised for its abilities and technological advancements, some questioned the price. The product is currently available for purchase online for US$3,000.
Converting to the current exchange rate, this amount is equivalent to R$14,839. The value is almost double the price of its predecessor, which sold for US$1,600 (R$7,915).
This places the product in a price range that may be considered unfeasible for many consumers.
Xiaomi positions the CyberDog 2 as a kind of domestic robot of the future, capable of even replacing real pets, thanks to its ability to interact with humans.
While the idea of a robot dog may seem futuristic and exciting to some, others have expressed concerns about the potential. emotional impact of swapping real pets for technological devices, comparing the situation to a dystopian version of Dr. Who’s K9.
