Spot the four-legged robot has already proven adept at dancing, running, and err, falling over — and the old dog is still learning new tricks.
Boston Dynamics has given Spot a new robotic arm that can grasp, carry, place, and drag a variety of objects.
The secretive firm today showed off Spot moving tools, pulling levers, opening doors, and closing valves, at a launch event for a new lineup of the robots.
The arm can manually or semi-autonomously perform physical work or act on data insights at construction sites, underground mines, power plants, and offshore rigs.
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The arm is one of several new additions to the Spot lineup. Boston Dynamics has also launched a self-charging version of the robot, and web-based software that operators can use to control their fleet of from a virtual control room.
CEO Robert Player said there are now more than 400 Spots in the world:
Our goal is to make Spot your go-to platform for mobile data collection and manipulation.
Businesses can buy one of the quadrupeds for $74,500. But it might be a while before you can get one to clean your house or make your dinner.
Spot’s terms and conditions of sale currently prohibit home use of the devices — although the company has hinted that this will change in the future.
Published February 2, 2021 — 20:39 UTC