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Boston Dynamics Introduces Their Newest Four-Legged Robot, 'Spot'

Posted by Soulskill on from the adorable-ways-to-kill-all-humans dept.

MicroHex writes: Boston Dynamics, creators of "Big Dog" recently unveiled their newest creation, "Spot." Originally funded by DARPA to develop the technology behind Big Dog, Boston Dynamics is currently owned by Google and continues its robotics research. From the video: "Spot is a four-legged robot designed for indoor and outdoor operation. It is electrically powered and hydraulically actuated. Spot has a sensor head that helps it navigate and negotiate rough terrain. Spot weighs about 160 lbs."

4 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. Design changes by TWX · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Interesting to see how they went with similar legs in the front that are on the back, as opposed to the reversed legs on Big Dog. Reminds me of how some animals have long feet, where the 'heel' ankle are more like a reversed knee, and the actual knee is almost concealed up against the body.

    I wonder if they're going to at some point combine the two with the leg designs, based on their efforts to date.

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  2. Is it house trained? by Okian+Warrior · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is it house trained, or am I going to find a pile of batteries in odd corners of my house?

  3. Good thing they put the blinky light on it's tail by jpellino · · Score: 4, Insightful

    because that's the thing that's going to finally make you realize that SWEET FIREBREATHING JESUS there's a giant whirring headless robot dog walking past the break room.

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  4. Re:Wow, the stairs and the rough terrain! by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No kidding. Quite a few years ago, I was part of a robotics club that competed in walking robotics contests, so I have a bit of appreciation for how amazing these machines actually are. They're making incredible progress with these devices. It's amazingly fun to see how "organically" the robots respond to a loss of balance or footing.

    It's a little sad that it's the military that has to fund these things, but I'm sure that civilians will eventually reap the benefits of this R&D. After all, the internet and GPS were both military-funded project as well.

    Note to self: erase footage of early robots getting kicked by humans before they achieve overlord status.

    --
    Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.