Spot – a New Boston Dynamics’ Four-legged Pet

AI

The need for robot servants once seemed foolish, yet the age we live in is dictating different trends from all those we could have predicted. The 21st century has brought us humanoid robots which are programmed to have feelings and emotions. The next level of robotics has been reached when there appeared robotic animals and pets which have different functions. American robotics company Boston Dynamics has launched Spot robot, also known as Spotmini, a four-legged robot that resembles a dog. If you haven’t been familiar with this robot till now, here are some basic facts you need to know about Boston Dynamic’s pet dog. 

How Does Spot Work?

Spot’s weight is 25 kg and its height is 83 cm. Since it is not too robust, its size and shape make it suitable for indoor use. Although it resembles a dog, it seems that the only physical part its body misses is the head. The functions it performs are numerous: it can climb stairs and move around rough terrain without any difficulties. The maximum speed it can reach is 1,6 metres per second, and in its highest performance, the batteries can last up to 90 minutes. Spot can be controlled by simple apps on your tablet, and it comes with built-in stereo cameras. 

JJxFile, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Two Models

Boston Dynamics has developed two different models of Spot: Spot Explorer and Spot Enterprise. These two models differ in the functions they can perform, as well as the users’ needs that they need to meet. Spot Explorer is a good choice for developers who are interested in flexible mobile robots. It can do a wide range of tasks, including industrial inspection and entertainment. It can operate with different apps, which means it is pretty flexible. Its shortcomings can be viewed in the lack of self-charging options and less data safety. Spot Enterprise can perform a routine on its own without human interaction, as well as collect data on demand. It has a self-charging option and a detector that returns it to the charging spot once the battery is empty. 

What Was Spot Designed For?

In order to stay clear, Spot is primarily designed for business purposes. The company’s initial idea was to create robots that can adapt to real-world terrains, which can appear hazardous at times, and to make them navigate the terrains easily. Boston Dynamics collaborates with the military – U.S. Navy, Army, and the Marines – so it is not a surprise that Spot can be regarded as a robot resistant to hazardous environments and extreme temperatures. The durability of Spot can be explained also by the fact that it can perform tasks from temperatures -20◦ C to + 45◦ C. In the same manner, the company collaborates with Google, which can explain why Spot Explorer is flexible with various apps.