By Tolu Olufadeju, Southwest, Nigeria
In one of its latest technological pushes, China has unveiled a lifelike “robot antelope” designed to monitor endangered species on the remote Hoh Xil plateau in Tibet. Outfitted with doe-like eyes, thick brown fur, 5G connectivity and AI vision systems, the device is nearly indistinguishable from real antelope, according to footage from state news agency Xinhua.
Developed jointly by Xinhua, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and DEEP Robotics, the machine can track the migration, feeding and mating patterns of the Tibetan antelope while transmitting real-time data from the rugged tundra. The initiative is part of Beijing’s broader investment in its robotics industry, which has received tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and recently showcased advancements at the 2025 World Robot Conference.
Tibet’s 5G network, first introduced in 2019, now covers all districts, with over one million users recorded by 2022. The region’s robust telecommunications infrastructure has enabled a growing array of AI applications, from small drones that navigate radar-impenetrable areas to smart livestock herding and remote medical consultations.
While framed as a wildlife conservation tool, the project has also raised questions about China’s expanding surveillance capabilities in the region. Analysts note that Tibet’s 5G systems could be used for more than ecological monitoring, particularly as Beijing has tightened security in the historically restive region and strengthened its strategic position along its border with India. The rollout of such advanced monitoring technologies underscores China’s ability to blend environmental initiatives with state security interests.
Critics and human rights advocates accuse Beijing of employing “grey-zone” tactics in and around the Tibetan plateau. A July report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies documented cases of China using local telecom networks to track dissidents in neighbouring Nepal, as well as engaging in cyber theft. With Tibet positioned as a key hub in President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, the integration of AI-powered wildlife monitoring into an extensive surveillance ecosystem reflects the dual-use nature of China’s technological ambitions in the region.