BOSTON DYNAMICS, THE company Google bought back in 2013, has unveiled the latest addition to its robotics collection which can scamper across rough and uneven terrain without any problems.
Nicknamed ‘Spot’, the four-legged robot weighs 73kg and is smaller than its bigger brother BigDog (108kg). Despite its name, Spot walks and runs more like a horse than a dog and is able to regain its balance after it’s been kicked or shoved.
That lightness means it’s more nimble, and it’s able to outpace its previous counterparts. While it’s not able to carry the same weight as BigDog, for example, its mobility means it’s able to climb up steps and function indoors.
When it’s not busy being kicked or outrunning larger robots, it finds some time to go jogging with a friend.
According to the makers, Spot is powered by an electric motor which uses hydraulic actuators to keep it moving. It’s able to navigate and make its way around rough terrain thanks to a sensor head.
Boston Dynamics’ main aim is to use these robots for tasks like carrying, scouting and search and rescue, but it’s probably a bad idea to start kicking it. It’s all innocent now, sure, but let’s hope future robots don’t hold it against us and are more like this.
Instead of this.
One can only hope.
Originally published 10.14am
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