Boston Dynamics’ canine-like Spot bot is now shipping to select early adopters.
The company on Tuesday released a promo video for the mechanical quadruped, highlighting its range of features and all-terrain abilities.
“Spot is an agile mobile robot that you can customize for a wide range of applications,” the video description said, tipping 360-degree obstacle avoidance, navigation, remote control, and autonomy.
You’ve seen it twerk to Bruno Mars and work as a pack to haul a truck across a parking lot.
Now, Spot is working “in the field,” monitoring construction sites; providing remote inspection at gas, oil, and power installations; and supporting public safety.
Small and nimble, the 2.75-foot-tall, four-legged machine can pick up and handle objects using a claw-like arm and perception sensors. Considered Boston Dynamics’ “quietest robot” yet, Spot can carry a 30-pound payload while operating for up to 90 minutes on a single charge.
There is no word yet on pricing; the product page directs interested buyers to contact the Boston Dynamics sales team or join the mailing list.
According to IEEE Spectrum, Spot “may cost as much as a luxury car,” and is not actually available to consumers.
“The initial sale, described as an ‘early adopter program,’ is targeting businesses,” the site said. “Boston Dynamics wants to find customers in select industries to help them deploy Spots in real-world scenarios.”
Company co-founder Marc Raibert last year tipped potential clients in four categories: construction, delivery, security, and home assistance.
But don’t expect to employ the headless hound as your new in-house servant just yet.
If parkour is more your style, you’ll love this new video of Boston Dynamics’ flexible Atlas robot, which uses its whole body (legs, arms, and torso!) to perform a seemingly perfect gymnastic floor routine.
“We created the maneuvers using new techniques that streamline the development process,” according to a video description.
An algorithm translates descriptions of each move into reference motions, which Atlas tracks and applies in sequence that could rival Jonathan Van Ness.
“Using this approach,” Boston Dynamics explained, “we developed the routine significantly faster than previous Atlas routines, with a performance success rate of about 80 percent.”
Frankly, it’s hard to believe there’s not a human acrobat stuffed into a robot suit performing these jumps, kicks, and tumbles.
I hope you’re ready for the 2022 Robot Olympic Games.
More on Geek.com:
- Watch: Boston Dynamics’ New Robot Can Stack Boxes Like a Boss
- Boston Dynamics to Produce 1,000 SpotMini Robo Dogs Annually
- Please Stop Hurting This Robot and Let It Walk Through the Damn Door
- 7 Super Advanced Robots That May Take Over the World
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