In a terrifying example of life imitating art, the Chinese are building a robot army.

Okay, it may not quite be at The Terminator level, referring to the Arnold Schwarzenegger-inspired sci fi movie series of the late 1980s and 1990s where robots try to destroy humanity.

But it’s not too far away.

The Unitree G1 Humaniod Robot is as about what you’d imagine: two arms, two legs, a torso, two hands (with just three fingers though), two feet and a narrow slit of blue lights serving as the eyes on a round face.

According to the unitree.com website, the robot measures 4.5 feet tall and weighs about 80 pounds.

While there’s not a lot of explanation as to what the robot can do short of a video clip of it making breakfast, at least not on the website.

But a quick Internet search shows another promotional video recently released. A much more terrifying one, if you’re a believer of life imitating art.

Beyond making scrambled eggs, the robot can be programmed to do other things, up to and including, Kung Fu.

It’s an impressive display watching this robot smoothly fire off punches and roundhouse kicks with a combination of precision and grace.

Apparently, the robot learns the movements through observation and AI, and according to Unitree, can be a valuable tool either commercially or around the house.

And what’s most amazing about this robot is its affordability. According to that website, they are on sale for just $16,000.

That’s less than a Ford.

Naturally, as expected, Unitree promises the robots aren’t being developed with any military purpose.

And that may be true. But for how long.

And at that price tag coupled with apparent trainability, what’s to stop someone from buying a robot and training it to do something nefarious.

Even something as simple as delivering a remote-detonated explosive into a crowded market seems much more feasible with this available.

I can hear the argument now when Troy’s Board of Aldermen tries to restrict robot ownership: Robots aren’t evil on their own. They have to be programmed that way by their owner.

Seriously though, assuming the price is accurate, its not hard to imagine as the technology develops and costs decrease (remember when a VCR cost $16,000?) these could actually serve a military purpose.

Why not? A large percentage of modern-day Air Force strikes involve the use of remote-controlled drones. It’s not much of a leap to envision a remote-controlled army as well.

I’m hoping though we as the human race have a nice 50-100 year run of the robots making our lives easier before they officially take control.

This of course has led to the inevitable daydreaming of what would I have my robot-servant do for me?

Basic lawn work comes to mind, whether weeding the garden, mowing the lawn or raking leaves. I’m also thinking I’d have a lot more brush cleared, trees felled and wood split.

Inside, I’m sure the robot could be taught to do basic housekeeping like dusting, vacuuming and mopping floors and assuming some level of waterproofing, washing dishes.

This sounds a lot like fanciful daydreaming and maybe to some extent, it is.

But I just watched a video of a robot executing martial arts forms flawlessly and with a fluid nature attributable to a regular human being.

It’s not hard to imagine one running a vacuum in my living room or a hedge trimmer in my yard.

Or an army of thousands of them marching through the streets of a besieged city.

Gregory Orear is the general manager/editor of the Lincoln County Journal, Troy Free Press and Elsberry Democrat. Starting in 2025, he’ll be replacing a pet monkey with a robot on his annual Christmas list. He can be reached at gorear@cherryroadmedia.com