Good doggos? The dystopian rise of robot dogs

Dimensional is paying San Francisco residents $20 (£15) an hour to walk four-legged robots and collect data to train them. The company wants to build operating systems that let machines work more independently and interact with AI agents. For now, robot dogs are presented as household helpers, for example, carrying groceries. But the market is already tied to force-related tasks: the US immigration service ICE plans to spend up to $2 million (£1.5 million) on Boston Dynamics robots, while startup Warhound has said it intends to develop genetically modified dogs with cybernetic enhancements for the battlefield.

Robot dogs move beyond delivery and closer to military tasks

Data for autonomous robots

Dimensional is hiring people to walk robot dogs in San Francisco. The machines do not need walks; the company needs data on how they behave in real-world conditions. According to The New York Times, Dimensional is developing operating systems that can interact with AI agents and help robots act independently.

The startup’s founder says these machines will benefit people. For example, they could carry groceries home—a task the author of the original column notes that their small Chihuahua mix cannot manage.

Robots for ICE and Warhound’s plans

The industry has another direction, too. Several months ago, it emerged that ICE intended to spend up to $2 million (£1.5 million) on Boston Dynamics robot dogs. The agency said it did not plan to use them for illegal purposes. The columnist considers that assurance unconvincing given the agency’s actions.

For now, these are machines that look like dogs. But Warhound, a startup launched last month, intends to develop genetically modified animals equipped with “advanced cybernetic enhancements, software and battlefield situational awareness.” There are few details about the project. The columnist suspects it could involve mutated dogs capable of killing people.

Warhound is backed by biotech entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Palmer Luckey. Lamm drew attention for an attempt to bring back the dodo, an extinct bird. Luckey is a billionaire and the founder of weapons company Anduril. In 2024, he said societies have always needed a warrior class willing to use violence for good causes, and that they need people like him who can create weapons to defend freedom without qualms. The columnist questions this reasoning and argues that dogs should stay out of such projects and billionaires should have their freedom of action curtailed.

Dataist’s take: Robot dogs are already being developed for both household tasks and use by law enforcement, while Warhound says its genetically modified animals are intended for military use. Details about the startup’s development remain scarce, and ICE’s assurances about how it will use the robots do little to ease concerns.