Testing of Robot Dogs in Effort to Maintain Cleanliness of Mount Tai
Testing of robot dogs is underway in the effort to maintain cleanliness at Mount Tai.
TroibNews 
An unusual group of robot dogs, weighing nearly 40 kilograms despite their slender frames, was observed traversing the steps of Mount Tai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Shandong Province, east China.
These robot dogs were engaged in weight-bearing climbing tests, aimed at alleviating the long-standing issue of garbage removal on Mount Tai, thereby freeing human porters from this demanding task.
Ma Yufei, head of the property management team at Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, shared that these robots are industrial-grade quadruped machines developed by a domestic technology firm.
Mount Tai is not only renowned as one of the Five Great Mountains of China, but it also holds historical and cultural significance. Its steep terrain and narrow, winding paths have made large-scale mechanized cleaning operations impractical for years, resulting in human porters having to carry trash on foot up and down the mountain.
"In 2023, Mount Tai saw a record 8.62 million visitors, generating 24,000 tonnes of waste," Ma stated. "The difficulty and cost of garbage collection and removal have both increased significantly, making efficient cleanup a real challenge."
The introduction of robot dogs may expedite waste removal operations in this popular destination. These machines are specifically designed to navigate rough terrain, maintain stability on slippery surfaces, ascend stairs effortlessly, and overcome obstacles such as wooden barriers and platforms up to 40 cm high. Each robot is capable of carrying a maximum load of 120 kg and can operate for over four hours on a single charge, as reported by testers.
"In the past, we had to carry everything ourselves. But if these robots can be deployed after fine-tuning, it will greatly ease our workload," remarked Zhao Xingzhong, a cleaner on Mount Tai.
During their trials, the robot dogs have garnered significant attention from tourists.
"It's exciting to see how modern technology is breathing new life into Mount Tai," a tourist commented. "Imagine climbing alongside these steel companions, carrying their heavy loads with precision and grace. It's amazing!"
The potential use of robot dogs on Mount Tai exemplifies a larger trend across China, where intelligent robots are increasingly integrated into daily life, ranging from autonomous delivery vehicles navigating city streets to gesture-controlled vending machines.
According to recent data, China is the world’s leading producer of robots. In 2023, the country manufactured 7.833 million service robots, reflecting a 21.3 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, the output of industrial robots in China reached 430,000 units, accounting for nearly 73 percent of the global total.
The pace of development for advanced humanoid robots is also accelerating.
A report released during the First Chinese Humanoid Robot Industry Conference in April projected that the market for humanoid robots in China will reach 75 billion yuan by 2029, representing 32.7 percent of the global market share.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
These robot dogs were engaged in weight-bearing climbing tests, aimed at alleviating the long-standing issue of garbage removal on Mount Tai, thereby freeing human porters from this demanding task.
Ma Yufei, head of the property management team at Taishan Cultural Tourism Group, shared that these robots are industrial-grade quadruped machines developed by a domestic technology firm.
Mount Tai is not only renowned as one of the Five Great Mountains of China, but it also holds historical and cultural significance. Its steep terrain and narrow, winding paths have made large-scale mechanized cleaning operations impractical for years, resulting in human porters having to carry trash on foot up and down the mountain.
"In 2023, Mount Tai saw a record 8.62 million visitors, generating 24,000 tonnes of waste," Ma stated. "The difficulty and cost of garbage collection and removal have both increased significantly, making efficient cleanup a real challenge."
The introduction of robot dogs may expedite waste removal operations in this popular destination. These machines are specifically designed to navigate rough terrain, maintain stability on slippery surfaces, ascend stairs effortlessly, and overcome obstacles such as wooden barriers and platforms up to 40 cm high. Each robot is capable of carrying a maximum load of 120 kg and can operate for over four hours on a single charge, as reported by testers.
"In the past, we had to carry everything ourselves. But if these robots can be deployed after fine-tuning, it will greatly ease our workload," remarked Zhao Xingzhong, a cleaner on Mount Tai.
During their trials, the robot dogs have garnered significant attention from tourists.
"It's exciting to see how modern technology is breathing new life into Mount Tai," a tourist commented. "Imagine climbing alongside these steel companions, carrying their heavy loads with precision and grace. It's amazing!"
The potential use of robot dogs on Mount Tai exemplifies a larger trend across China, where intelligent robots are increasingly integrated into daily life, ranging from autonomous delivery vehicles navigating city streets to gesture-controlled vending machines.
According to recent data, China is the world’s leading producer of robots. In 2023, the country manufactured 7.833 million service robots, reflecting a 21.3 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, the output of industrial robots in China reached 430,000 units, accounting for nearly 73 percent of the global total.
The pace of development for advanced humanoid robots is also accelerating.
A report released during the First Chinese Humanoid Robot Industry Conference in April projected that the market for humanoid robots in China will reach 75 billion yuan by 2029, representing 32.7 percent of the global market share.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
