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In the clip, widely shared on social media, a woman walks down the street with her AI-powered canine on a leash. The robotic dog unexpectedly faces off with a cavoodle, stopping abruptly.
The woman watches as the robot drops into a "playful" position before lunging at the startled dog. It flips onto its back and rocks back and forth, while the real dog cowers against its owner, who is filming the scene. The cavoodle was unharmed but appeared distressed.
The woman with the robotic dog has since been identified as Iranian-Dutch singer Sevdaliza, known for her tech-inspired music, according to New York Post.
In a recent Instagram post, she affectionately described her robotic dog as "so sweet."
A robot dog and a pet dog face off on the street of New York City, U.S. Video courtesy of Sevdaliza's TikTok
Social media users offered mixed responses, with one comparing the scene to "Black Mirror," a TV series known for exploring technology’s darker effects on society.
"Yeah, we’re done for," another said, while others jokingly said: "That thing is possessed."
Some viewers were less amused, with one commenting, "I’d be stomping on that thing so fast."
Robot dogs, originally developed for militaries, are now appearing in public spaces and dog parks around the world. With features like facial recognition, object detection and realistic barking, many are designed to mimic real dogs though fur has yet to make an appearance.
Prices range from a few hundred US dollars – to upwards of $48,000 – making them increasingly accessible. Several major brands, including Amazon and AliExpress, have introduced their own robotic dogs. One model, called the Thermonator, is equipped with a flamethrower and costs $9,420.
