So You Think You Can Dance? Turns Out, So Can These New Robots

Somebody please call Sarah Conner

Boston Dynamics created ripples in the world of robotics nine years ago, when they unveiled a robot that was leaps ahead of the Asimov robots we were used to seeing. You know, the ones who could barely even climb stairs without falling. The robots made by Boston Dynamics did not just perform basic tasks efficiently, but did so with human-like ease. That wowed many but also put a sense of fear among the rest — so much so that they shot a Black Mirror episode on it.

Nine years later, the robots are finally going up for sale. The engineering and robotics design company has announced that they’re going to sell SpotMini to builders, the military and for surveillance. But it’s designed to do more than that… like dance!

SpotMini is an all-electric small four-legged robot that can go for about 90 minutes on a charge. Its sensor suite includes stereo cameras, depth cameras, an IMU, and position/force sensors in the limbs. These sensors help with navigation and mobile manipulation.

SpotMini is one robot in a lineup of many that can perform backflips, run on their four legs, do everyday tasks like opening and shutting doors as well as fight humans. Somebody please call Sarah Conner!

×Close
×Close