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Boston Dynamics reveals its robot dog hard at work helping construction workers carry heavy loads


Boston Dynamics’ robots are no longer just flipping and jumping over obstacles for fun. 

Now, the startup is putting its Spot robot dog to work. 

A new video shows the sensor-equipped device touring several construction sites. 

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Spot has previously been shown navigating obstacles and climbing stairs with ease. 

But it seems the robotics firm is preparing Spot for use in the workplace. 

‘We have begun field testing the Spot robot for commercial usage around the world,’ Boston Dynamics said. 

‘After an initial mapping run, Spot autonomously navigated two dynamic construction sites in Tokyo and used a specialized payload for surveying work progress.

‘An additional camera in its hand lets Spot do even more detailed inspection work on site,’ the firm added. 

Boston Dynamics said it hopes to have Spot up and running for a ‘variety of applications’ by the second half of 2019. 

Spot is currently in preproduction and the firm expects to build about 100 of the robots starting next year.  

Boston Dynamics said it hopes to have Spot up and running for a 'variety of applications' by the second half of 2019. It expects to build about 100 of the robots starting next year 

Boston Dynamics said it hopes to have Spot up and running for a ‘variety of applications’ by the second half of 2019. It expects to build about 100 of the robots starting next year 

Boston Dynamics first showed off SpotMini, the most advanced robot dog ever created, in a video posted in November 2017. It has a camera fitted in its claw hand to inspect things 

Boston Dynamics first showed off SpotMini, the most advanced robot dog ever created, in a video posted in November 2017. It has a camera fitted in its claw hand to inspect things 

In the video, Spot can be seen strolling around the Takenaka Corp. and Fujita Corp. construction sites. 

He climbs up and down stairs, over obstacles such as wood planks on the floor, as well as around corners. 

Spot can also move in reverse and in a circle. At some points, he deploys his claw arm, as if to lift a nearby cardboard box.   

The robotic hand is fitted with a camera to perform inspections.  

WHAT IS BOSTON DYNAMICS’ SPOT MINI ROBO-DOG?

Boston Dynamics first showed off SpotMini, the most advanced robot dog ever created, in a video posted in November 2017.

The firm, best known for Atlas, its 5 foot 9 (1.7 metre) humanoid robot, has revealed a new ‘lightweight’ version of its robot Spot Mini.

The robotic canine was shown trotting around a yard, with the promise that more information from the notoriously secretive firm is ‘coming soon’.

‘SpotMini is a small four-legged robot that comfortably fits in an office or home’ the firm says on its website.

It weighs 25 kg (55 lb), or 30 kg (66 lb) when you include the robotic arm.

SpotMini is all-electric and can go for about 90 minutes on a charge, depending on what it is doing, the firm says, boasting ‘SpotMini is the quietest robot we have built.’ 

SpotMini was first unveiled in 2016, and a previous version of the mini version of spot with a strange extendable neck has been shown off helping around the house. 

In the firm’s previous video, the robot is shown walking out of the firm’s HQ and into what appears to be a home.

There, it helps load a dishwasher and carries a can to the trash.

It also at one point encounters a dropped banana skin and falls dramatically – but uses its extendable neck to push itself back up. 

‘SpotMini is one of the quietest robots we have ever built, the firm says, due to its electric motors.

‘It has a variety of sensors, including depth cameras, a solid state gyro (IMU) and proprioception sensors in the limbs. 

‘These sensors help with navigation and mobile manipulation. 

‘SpotMini performs some tasks autonomously, but often uses a human for high-level guidance.’ 

Spot is just under three feet tall and has 3D vision, as well as 17 joints to help it move nimbly. 

Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert said earlier this year that he hopes Spot can be used in a variety of industries, including construction, delivery, security and home assistance.  

Raibert also denied skeptics’ beliefs that his firm’s robots would one day be used to kill – insisting that they’re more likely to take on the role of servant in the future. 

‘We think about that, but that’s also true for cars, airplanes, computers, lasers,’ Raibert said.

Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert said earlier this year that he hopes Spot can be used in a variety of industries, including construction, delivery, security and home assistance

Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert said earlier this year that he hopes Spot can be used in a variety of industries, including construction, delivery, security and home assistance

CEO Marc Raibert also denied skeptics' beliefs that his firm's robots would one day be used to kill - insisting that they're more likely to take on the role of servant in the future

CEO Marc Raibert also denied skeptics’ beliefs that his firm’s robots would one day be used to kill – insisting that they’re more likely to take on the role of servant in the future

‘Every technology you can imagine has multiple ways of using it. If there’s a scary part, it’s just that people are scary. I don’t think the robots by themselves are scary.’

It comes as the firm just yesterday released an eye-popping video of its Atlas humanoid robot running and jumping over objects. 

The firm said the robot’s software has been updated giving it the new features.

‘The control software uses the whole body including legs, arms and torso, to marshal the energy and strength for jumping over the log and leaping up the steps without breaking its pace.

‘Atlas uses computer vision to locate itself with respect to visible markers on the approach to hit the terrain accurately. ‘     

WHAT IS BOSTON DYNAMICS’ ATLAS HUMANOID ROBOT?

Atlas the most human-like robot in Boston Dynamic’s line-up. 

It was first unveiled to the public on 11 July 11 2013.

According to the company, Atlas is a ‘high mobility, humanoid robot designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain’.

Atlas measures 1.5m (4.9ft) tall and weighs 75kg (11.8st).

The humanoid walks on two legs, leaving its arms free to lift, carry, and manipulate objects in its environment.

Atlas is able to hold its balance when it is jostled or pushed by an external force. Should it fall over, the humanoid robot is capable of getting up again on its own

Atlas is able to hold its balance when it is jostled or pushed by an external force. Should it fall over, the humanoid robot is capable of getting up again on its own

Stereo vision, range sensing and other sensors allow Atlas to walk across rough terrain and keep its balance.

‘In extremely challenging terrain, Atlas is strong and coordinated enough to climb using hands and feet, to pick its way through congested spaces,’ Boston Dynamics claims.

Atlas is able to hold its balance when it is jostled or pushed.

If the humanoid robot should fall over, it can get up on its own.

Atlas is designed to help emergency services in search and rescue operations.

The robot will be used to shut-off valves, opening doors and operate powered equipment in environments where human rescuers could not survive.

The US Department of Defence said it has no interest in using Atlas in warfare.

Atlas is capable of —  

  • Standing up after falling over
  • Running
  • Balancing on a narrow beam
  • Cleaning, including vacuuming and sweeping
  • Karate kick
  • Throwing a paper aeroplane



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