China 2025: Tariffs, Tech, and the New Global Order
Sparky: Robot Dog Packs Smart Controls in Under 2 Pounds Hengbot’s Sparky, unveiled March 5, 2025, at China’s NPC, is a robotic dog weighing just 850 grams—about 1.87 pounds—that walks, jumps, and dances with 14 joints. It was showcased for $500-$600 on Kickstarter in May. It offers an app, remote, and AR/VR controls, blending fun with AI tinkering. Unlike bulkier bots like Boston Dynamics, this palm-sized pup uses bionic limbs, a touch sensor, and a microphone for lifelike moves. It is programmable via a head pat or drag-and-drop app—no coding required. With a screen and speaker, it’s desk-ready. Hengbot aims for Amazon post-crowdfunding, outshining Xiaomi’s heavier CyberDog in agility. China’s robotics scene shines with Sparky’s debut, cutting size and cost while keeping smarts. Battery life and mass production are the next steps, but at under 2 pounds, this 850g marvel could redefine personal bots for hobbyists and developers eyeing a light, playful tech edge. Gizmochina. (2025, Mar...