TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China is integrating AI and robotics into frontline military operations, reflecting a systematic shift toward what it calls “intelligentized warfare,” according to a recent report by US analysts.
Craig Singleton, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the People’s Liberation Army is testing dog-sized robotic systems equipped with cameras, sensors, and lidar. Some can carry supplies, conduct reconnaissance, and operate in coordinated swarms, per CNA.
The systems have appeared in Chinese military training footage and state media, suggesting Beijing is moving toward operational deployment, with Taiwan a likely objective, per FDD.
Singleton said a cross-strait invasion would involve intense early combat, including contested beach landings, urban fighting, and communication disruptions. Robots could be sent ahead of soldiers to limit initial troop losses, he said.
These systems could scout landing zones, transport supplies, map terrain, and clear obstacles, Singleton said, adding that their use “changes the trajectory of the opening phase of a potential war.”
Research analyst Jack Burnham of the same organization said these developments stem from China’s rapid adaptation of commercial technologies into military capabilities. He said Taiwan should respond by building layered defenses that include detection, electronic warfare, signal jamming, and urban counter-robot training exercises.
Taiwan is already exploring similar technologies. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in June showcased three variants of robotic systems based on platforms from US firm Ghost Robotics, designed for reconnaissance, patrol, and high-risk missions.
Burnham said such robotic systems rely heavily on sensors and communications, meaning Taiwan could degrade or disable them by disrupting signals and building redundancy into its defensive systems.
Singleton added that robotics could alter Beijing’s risk calculations, as reducing human casualties in early operations may make the initial phase of conflict appear less politically costly, though it does not guarantee war. He said counter-robot capabilities are critical to Taiwan’s deterrence and self-defense.
He also called for closer Taiwan-US cooperation, including partnerships with trusted Taiwanese robotics firms, streamlined procurement processes, and support for counter-unmanned systems. Singleton said Taiwan’s access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing could provide an advantage if effectively integrated with domestic robotics development.
