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Boston Dynamics' SpotMini Robot Dog Will Go On Sale Next Year (cnet.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the man's-best-friend dept.

Almost two years ago, Boston Dynamics unveiled their SpotMini robot to the world. It's a four-legged machine that can open doors and power through disturbances. CNET reports that the SpotMini will go on sale next year "for companies that want a mechanical quadruped to get to places a wheeled device can't reach." From the report: Boston Dynamics has 10 SpotMini prototypes now and will work with manufacturing partners to build 100 this year, company co-founder and President Marc Raibert said at a TechCrunch robotics conference Friday. "That's a prelude to getting into a higher rate of production" in anticipation of sales next year, he said.

Raibert didn't reveal price plans, but said the SpotMini robots could be useful for security patrols or for helping construction companies keep tabs on what's happening at building sites. SpotMini can be customized with attachments and extra software for particular jobs, he said. Eventually, though, the company hopes to sell it for use in people's homes.

13 of 61 comments (clear)

  1. And so it begins by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalhead_%28Black_Mirror%29

  2. Missing out on Military Contracts? by DejaBu · · Score: 2

    Am I the only one wondering why Boston dynamics aren't doubling down on attack robots? Yes I know there is the Terminator (tm) fear, however that's a movie and the reality is these could be excellent in warfare with the right direction/funding.

    1. Re: Missing out on Military Contracts? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      They are... if you notice all the badass predatory animals are absurdly agile. You think they are just making absurdly agile cargo bots?

    2. Re: Missing out on Military Contracts? by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 2

      Of course they are.

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      #DeleteFacebook
    3. Re:Missing out on Military Contracts? by l0n3s0m3phr34k · · Score: 2

      Several reasons: Because Boston Dynamics is in the business of making commercial, "public" robotics. There are already MUCH larger players in that market. The tech isn't up to the level for a decent ground-based robot that's not treaded. Battery life; noisy engines.

      And, they are working on this. They have developed several robots for DARPA, and DARPA is the one that gives the funding and sets the developmental goals. BD is "doubling down" as much as financially possible, and honestly their tech is only a part of the over-all military robot; they provide the "body" or the chassis. The weapons, any additional code towards autonomy (which still has ROL and ROW hurdles to pass), aren't within BD scope of business. Several DoD contractors usually work together under DARPA to make something this complex battlefield capable. Plus, even if BD makes a bad-ass "war robot" tomorrow, the DoD must still put it through a long and demanding set of testing protocols before using it.

  3. This is great! by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 2

    I can't wait to be hunted down and killed by this unfeeling machine! ;)

    --
    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
  4. Re: Robot dog vs Tesla Coil... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    A tesla coil likely wouldnâ(TM)t do much due to the skin effect of very high frequency ac. I built one 20 years ago and would play with the arcs with my fingertips. The main problem was the burns from the plasma, but easy to mitigate by wrapping my fingertips in foil.

  5. And one year after that... by MindPrison · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...Chinese clones on eBay costing literally 1000 times less.

    Thanks Boston Dynamics, this is going to be interesting times.

    --
    What this world is coming to - is for you and me to decide.
    1. Re:And one year after that... by magusxxx · · Score: 2

      "We just wanted to confirm Mr. Vick, you want 20 of them?"

      --
      Care killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
  6. Re:Gives a nice "movie plot" threat! by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What good will it do to track it back to the people it was stolen from?

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  7. Can'twait. by nospam007 · · Score: 2

    So if you spot a mini-spot on your chest, you might be a target of your neighbor's spotmini equipped with a laser-sight gun who opened your backdoor with his hand and thinks you're an intruder.

  8. I'll buy one by nospam007 · · Score: 2

    just the normal one, with the hand, I'll send it at night to my neighbor's lawn to deposit a bit of dog-shit with his arm.
    Welcome to the 3rd millennium.

  9. Re:Gives a nice "movie plot" threat! by Jeremi · · Score: 2

    I would have said it's stupid because you can get a remote-controlled car (or etc) to do the same thing for about 1% of the price... but if you're flush with cash and really want to capture the public's attention, maybe a $22,000 robot-dog suicide bomber is the way to go.

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    I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.