While Xiaomi has built its global reputation primarily on smartphones and consumer electronics, the Chinese technology company revealed in 2023 that it has ambitions in another field entirely: animal-like robotics. In August of that year, the firm introduced CyberDog 2, the second iteration of its four-legged robot designed to be smaller, more agile, and bear a closer resemblance to an actual canine.
Weighing approximately 8.9 kilograms, the robot is roughly the size of a Doberman, according to Xiaomi. It represents a significant reduction from the first generation and is powered by miniature motors the company developed under the brand name CyberGear. These motors enable the robot to perform sophisticated movements including jumps, bows, rolls, and even backflips. The device can also right itself and recover after falling.
According to the company, improving the robot's movement and behavior required artificial intelligence-based training involving approximately 30,000 robotic dogs in a simulated environment. Through this virtual training regimen, CyberDog 2 learned to execute a wide range of movements with greater stability and natural fluidity. Its maximum speed reaches about 1.6 meters per second, equivalent to roughly 5.8 kilometers per hour.
One of the most noticeable changes in the second generation is actually aesthetic. While the original CyberDog resembled an industrial machine with four legs, the new model features a dog-shaped head with pointed ears, designed to give it a friendlier and more natural appearance.
