Future Dog?
Are they useful? Are they dangerous?
We all know robots will eventually be popular in the future of technology; they will be supporting society in ways we can’t imagine. Did you ever think there would be a robot dog in the 21st Century? Neither did I.
I am going to explain what is a Spot robot dog.
Robot Spot GIF By Boston Dynamics
What is a Spot?
A Spot is a four-legged robot; it can navigate the terrain with unprecedented mobility, allowing you to automate routine inspection tasks and data capture safely, accurately, and frequently.
They can carry and power up to 14 kg of inspection equipment. The Spot is easy to control; control the robot from afar using an intuitive tablet application and built-in stereo cameras.
The Spot’s intelligence is from programming repeatable autonomous missions to gather consistent data.
Spot’s maximum speed is 1.6 meters per second, equivalent to 3.5 miles per hour and the average walking speed of a human.
Spot Launch YouTube by Boston Dynamics
Who created Spot?
Boston Dynamics, a company that been around since the 90s. Marc Raibert research was a big contribution at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory on advanced robots. Boston Dynamics had developed all sorts of robots ranging from moving boxes to humanlike agility. DARPA invested in this company for military use. The company introduced a Spot prototype in 2015, their goal was turn it into a commercial product and have them selling by summer 2020.
Robot Spot GIF By Boston Dynamics
How much does one cost?
Spot has been commercially available since 2020 at a starting price of $74,500.
Robot Spot GIF By Boston Dynamics
What are they used for?
Spot can autonomously capture 360 degree images and videos indoors or on challenging exterior sites. Frequently captured site progress snapshots can be contextualized in construction documents and used to automate insights and workplace reporting through emerging AI technologies.
They are equip with a laser scanner and program routine scanning routes to collect high precise 3D data on construction progress.
Spot can be used to survey confined spaces and keep workers out of hazardous environments. They upload image data on programmed routes into specialized downstream software for the detection of health and safety issues.
Who has Spot?
In 2019, a 90-day trial was declared for the Massachusetts State Police to use Spot. This first law enforcement agency tried situations where it would dangerous to send a human so they call for the bomb squad. However, Spot failed to attempt this situation when the robot was spooked by tall grass, and fell over while walking down the stairs.
Fun Fact: Spot was seen in a Tv show…
A television series called “Black Mirror” released an episode in 2017 called “Metalhead”. This episode is about a robot dog chasing a speeding van,crashes through its back window, and obliterates the driver’s head with one bash.
Boston Dynamics develop a robot called “The Wildcat.” It can run about 20 miles per hour.
