Technology
AI-powered dog robot sniffs out invasive fire ants
Imagine walking through a park on a sunny day, only to feel the sharp sting of fire ants attacking your ankles.
These tiny invaders are not just a nuisance; they pose significant threats to our ecosystems and economies. Fortunately, scientists have developed an innovative solution to combat these pests: robot dogs.
These high-tech canines are being trained to sniff out invasive fire ants, using artificial intelligence to identify their nests with remarkable precision. This breakthrough could change the way we manage invasive species and protect our environment.
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CyberDog designed to locate fire ant nests (Dr Hualong Qiu, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)
A high-tech ant hunter
Researchers from China and Brazil have created a robotic dog known as CyberDog, specifically designed to locate fire ant nests. This high-tech robot has been trained to identify red imported fire ants, which are wreaking havoc in various ecosystems around the globe. Impressively, the CyberDog is capable of finding three times more nests than human inspectors, all while showing off greater accuracy.
CyberDog designed to locate fire ant nests (Dr Hualong Qiu, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)
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Why fire ants are such a big deal
Red imported fire ants may be small, but their impact is anything but trivial. Native to central South America, these aggressive ants have spread across the United States, Australia and parts of Asia, causing extensive environmental and economic damage. In the U.S. alone, they are responsible for an estimated $6 billion in losses each year due to reduced crop yields and damage to farm equipment.
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CyberDog designed to locate fire ant nests (Dr Hualong Qiu, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)
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How the CyberDog works its magic
Published in the SCI journal Pest Management Science, the study showcases how the CyberDog robot, equipped with an AI model, can efficiently automate the identification and control of red imported fire ants, a notoriously destructive global pest. The research team trained the CyberDog using a comprehensive dataset of over 1,100 images of fire ant nests, resulting in an impressive detection accuracy rate of over 90%.
The robot is programmed to poke suspected nests with its paw; when it does so, active nests release their workers in a defensive frenzy, confirming the presence of fire ants. This unique method allows researchers to distinguish between active mounds and those that may be abandoned or occupied by other species.
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CyberDog designed to locate fire ant nests (Dr Hualong Qiu, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)
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More than just ant control
Beyond its practical applications in pest management, the CyberDog also serves an educational purpose. Zheng Yan, one of the researchers involved in the project, emphasizes that sightings of robots tracking fire ant nests can captivate public interest and raise awareness about the dangers posed by invasive species. By engaging communities in this way, scientists hope to foster greater understanding and proactive measures against these ecological threats.
CyberDog designed to locate fire ant nests (Dr Hualong Qiu, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)
Challenges and future prospects
Despite its impressive capabilities, the CyberDog is not without challenges. Its battery life currently lasts about 30 minutes, which limits its operational time in the field. Additionally, acquiring more advanced models can be costly. However, as technology continues to evolve and production costs decrease, it’s likely that robotic solutions like this will become more accessible for widespread use in pest control.
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CyberDog designed to locate fire ant nests (Dr Hualong Qiu, Guangdong Academy of Forestry)
Kurt’s key takeaways
The development of the CyberDog shows us how technology can be harnessed to tackle ecological challenges in innovative ways that benefit both nature and society. As we confront increasing threats from invasive species worldwide, AI-powered robots could become our new allies in protecting ecosystems.
Would you welcome robot dogs patrolling your local park for fire ants? Or does the idea of AI-powered pest control make you feel uneasy? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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The LG CLOiD robot and the LG OLED evo AI Wallpaper TV are displayed onstage during an LG Electronics news conference at CES 2026, an annual consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas, Jan. 5, 2026. (REUTERS/Steve Marcus)
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Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– CES 2026 showstoppers: 10 gadgets you have to see
– Construction giant unveils AI to help prevent job site accidents: ‘It’s essentially a personal assistant’
– Fox News gets exclusive look at company helping businesses nationwide harness AI-powered robots to boost efficiency and fill labor gaps
CES 2026 put health tech front and center, with companies showcasing smarter ways to support prevention, mobility and long-term wellness. (CES)
FUTURE IS NOW: Every January, the Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES, takes over Las Vegas. It’s where tech companies show off what they’re building next, from products that are almost ready to buy to ideas that feel pulled from the future.
SAFER SITES: Construction equipment giant Caterpillar has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to improve job site safety and boost efficiency as the industry grapples with labor shortages.
FUTURE OF WELLNESS: The Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES, is the world’s largest consumer technology event, and it’s underway in Las Vegas. It takes over the city every January for four days and draws global attention from tech companies, startups, researchers, investors and journalists, of course.
FUTURE OF WORK: As artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, Fox News got an exclusive look at a company helping businesses nationwide harness AI-powered robots to boost efficiency and fill labor gaps. RobotLAB, with 36 locations across the country and headquartered in Texas, houses more than 50 different types of robots, from cleaning and customer service bots to security bots.
The LG CLOiD robot and the LG OLED evo AI Wallpaper TV are displayed onstage during an LG Electronics news conference at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Jan. 5, 2026. (REUTERS/Steve Marcus)
COMPUTE CRUNCH: The price tag for competing in the artificial intelligence race is rapidly climbing, fueling demand for advanced computing power and the high-end chips that are needed to support it. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Lisa Su said demand for AI computing is accelerating as industries rush to expand their capabilities.
AI GONE WRONG: A California teenager used a chatbot over several months for drug-use guidance on ChatGPT, his mother said. Sam Nelson, 18, was preparing for college when he asked an AI chatbot how many grams of kratom, a plant-based painkiller commonly sold at smoke shops and gas stations across the country, he would need to get a strong high, his mother, Leila Turner-Scott, told SFGate, according to the New York Post.
DR CHAT: ‘The Big Money Show’ panelists weigh in on a report on people turning to ChatGPT for medical and healthcare questions.
‘FUNDAMENTALLY DEFLATIONARY’: OpenAI Board Chair Bret Taylor discusses artificial intelligence’s potential to change traditional work and its increasing use in healthcare on ‘Varney & Co.’
MIND TRAP ALERT: Artificial intelligence chatbots are quickly becoming part of our daily lives. Many of us turn to them for ideas, advice or conversation. For most, that interaction feels harmless. However, mental health experts now warn that for a small group of vulnerable people, long and emotionally charged conversations with AI may worsen delusions or psychotic symptoms.
A California teenager sought drug-use guidance from a ChatGPT chatbot over several months while preparing for college, his mother told SFGate, according to the New York Post. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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These AI projects include Prometheus, the first of several supercluster computing systems, which is expected to come online in New Albany, Ohio, sometime this year. Meta is funding the construction of new nuclear reactors as part of the agreements, the first of which may come online “as early as 2030.” These announcements are part of Meta’s ongoing goal to support its future AI operations with nuclear energy, having previously signed a deal with Constellation to revive an aging nuclear power plant last year.
Financial information for the agreements hasn’t been released, but Meta says that it will “pay the full costs for energy used by our data centers so consumers don’t bear these expenses.”
“Our agreements with Vistra, TerraPower, Oklo, and Constellation make Meta one of the most significant corporate purchasers of nuclear energy in American history,” Meta’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, said in the announcement. “State-of-the-art data centers and AI infrastructure are essential to securing America’s position as a global leader in AI.”
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