While we’ve covered our fair share of robotic spheres, from the chatty Translation not available (en-us) to its athletic cousin Robotic Football Joins the Old Balls Universe , China has decided to take the concept in a decidedly less playful direction. Meet the Rotunbot RT-G, a 125 kg (276 lbs) self-balancing orb designed not for sport, but for chasing criminals. Currently being trialed on the streets of Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, this amphibious robocop is built for pursuit.
Developed by Logon Technology (and its startup Rotunbot Co), the RT-G is no mere novelty. It can reach speeds of up to 35 km/h (22 mph) on both land and water, navigating mud and small drops with ease thanks to an internal gyroscopic stabilization system. Its sensor suite includes GPS, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors for navigation and target tracking. To subdue its targets, the sphere is armed with a host of non-lethal options, including tear gas, smoke bombs, and even net shooters. While currently remote-controlled, the developers aim for future versions to be fully autonomous.
Why is this important?
The Rotunbot represents a significant design pivot in law enforcement robotics. While countries experiment with humanoid patrollers like the Shenzhen Police Deploy Humanoid T-800 Partner , the RT-G is a purpose-built pursuit machine, prioritizing speed and all-terrain capability over a familiar form factor. Its spherical design, while looking like something out of a sci-fi B-movie, offers practical advantages in mobility and durability. This isn’t about replacing officers; it’s about deploying a specialized tool for high-speed chases in complex environments where traditional vehicles—and perhaps people—can’t easily go. The era of the high-speed, rolling law enforcement drone has, quite literally, arrived.
