Macau, China, March 26, 2026 (Lusa) - The company responsible for energy supply in Macau indicated to Lusa on Thursday that it has begun testing the use of robots to ensure the security of the territory's network.
According to Sou Kit Hou, a representative of the Companhia de Eletricidade de Macau (CEM), the company acquired a Chinese-made quadruped robot, or "robot dog," which has been tested over the last six months.
This "robot dog" is equipped with infrared thermal imaging and high-definition cameras that allow for equipment failure detection and real-time alerts.
"The robot was placed in a substation, through a camera installed on it, we can remotely monitor the temperature of the generators and see if they are overheating. We can check the people who are there, checking if they are authorised," Sou told Lusa during the 2026 Macau International Environmental Co-operation Forum & Exhibition (MIECF).
"This way, we can control the security of the energy network, and it works 24 hours non-stop. For now, we only have one, but if the tests go well, we will acquire more."
The company holds the exclusive concession for the transmission, distribution, and sale of high, medium, and low-voltage electricity in Macau, and owns energy production infrastructure.
Macau's electricity transmission network has 29 high-voltage substations, where tests with the new "robot dog" have been conducted, acquired through an agreement with a Guangzhou subsidiary of the state-owned power company China Southern Power Grid International.
"In the future, we could use them at the power plant or even on the street. In mainland China, it is common to use robots for these functions, their uses are almost limitless," Sou pointed out to Lusa.
China has become the global pioneer in the innovation and commercialisation of drones and robots, bipedal and quadrupedal, with the industry receiving large state support.
Chinese quadruped robots, developed by companies such as Unitree Robotics and DEEP Robotics, have begun to be widely used in industrial inspections, security patrols, emergency rescues, and military applications.
Unitree gained prominence after its humanoid robots appeared in the lunar new year gala on state television CCTV, the country's largest televised event, performing complex movements and martial arts.
In August of last year, a quadruped robot from Zhejiang University in eastern China completed a 100-metre run in 16.33 seconds, a new Guinness World Record.
Sales of Chinese humanoid robots are expected to exceed 23 million units by 2040, a considerable increase from the 28,000 forecast for this year, according to Morgan Stanley analysts in January.
NCM/RYOL // AYLS
Lusa
