Taipei says China-made robot dog not yet approved for use

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) The Taipei City government said Thursday that a China-made robot dog will not be deployed until its contractor obtains government approval and third-party cybersecurity certification.

Deputy head of the city's New Construction Office, Wang Chien-chung (王健忠), told a press conference that the robot was proposed by a contractor to help patrol sidewalks, but stressed the project has yet to be cleared.

The robot dog was promoted by Deputy Mayor Lee Ssu-chuan (李四川) in a social media post, which said the device could improve patrol efficiency and access narrow sidewalks.

However, Democratic Progressive Party councilors questioned the robot's safety after the city confirmed its body was made by a Chinese company. They warned the manufacturer could remotely operate the device to collect data from Taipei's streets, and asked why local alternatives were not considered. One lawmaker also questioned whether the city budgeted the NT$700,000 (US$22,917) cost.

Wang responded that the robot would only be used as a vehicle without network access, adding that it was purchased from a Taiwanese distributor.

Another official from the office said implementation, initially scheduled for the fourth quarter, will be postponed due to public concern.

In a later interview, Wang said the robot was not included in the original contract, and the office would recommend Taiwanese products if available.

Separately, Deputy Digital Minister Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬), who is set to become minister, said government agencies must obtain ministry approval to use Chinese-brand information products. He added that no application for the robot has been received and warned that high-tech devices can still be controlled remotely even if they pass cybersecurity tests.