A robot dog designed to assist the visually impaired made its debut at a Chinese tech expo.

Footage shows the animatronic, equipped with a built-in leash-like holder on its back, standing alongside a Labrador service dog during the International Welfare Expo and China International Rehabilitation Expo.

The curious canine can be seen sniffing the robotic dog as an elderly attendee holds onto its metal handle, while a robotic engineer demonstrates how it works at the Beijing National Convention Centre on September 13.

The event had sections on mobility aids, prosthetics and orthotics, auditory and speech rehabilitation, low vision, children's rehabilitation, elderly care, barrier-free facilities, and medical and rehabilitation equipment.

More than 10,000 assistive devices designed to improve daily life for people with disabilities and the elderly were also exhibited.

A spokesman from the China Disabled Persons' Federation said: 'This event provided a platform for enterprises to display and promote their products, foster cooperation across the industry chain, and encourage more companies to engage in the research, development, and production of assistive devices.

'This also helps build an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for the disability assistance industry.'

China has increasingly integrated robots into public life, using humanoid robots for community services, autonomous vehicles for public security, and service robots across healthcare, hospitality, and retail sectors.

Hospitals are employing robots in pharmacies to sort and deliver medicines to patients.

Human and animal-like robots are being developed in several countries, with China and the United States leading the 'tech arms race.'

A military-style robot dog has even been spotted protecting President Donald Trump's home in Florida.

Meanwhile, eccentric billionaire Elon Musk recently unveiled Optimus, describing it as a multi-functional assistant capable of handling household chores, playing with children, and performing repetitive tasks.