Boston Dynamics unleashes robot dog that can clean your house
The Google-owned robotics company has made a name for itself with life-like machines
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As humans inch toward a future imagined only by the likes of Isaac Asimov or Philip K Dick, it seems there will come a time where each household will own a robotic helper pet of its own - especially if Boston Dynamics continues on its current course.
Enter SpotMini, the smaller version of the company’s earlier Spot robot, is a four-legged bionic “dog” with an attachable arm (that looks more like a giraffe’s neck), complete with clamp. SpotMini can scuttle about the house - assuming there are no slippery banana peels on the floor - it can crawl under tables, and, most importantly, it can do the dishes.
According to Boston Dynamics, SpotMini weighs 55 pounds (25 kg) “dripping wet” or 65 pounds (29.5 kg) with the arm attached.
“SpotMini is one of the quietest robots we have ever built,” the company said in its video featuring the animal-like robot.
The robotics firm, owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, had previously unleashed unsettlingly skeletal animal-human hybrid machines that are constantly shown being kicked over by their very creators.
Google first acquired Boston Dynamics in 2013, as part of the upstart Replicant. Google has since put the robotics company up for sale, but has yet to find a buyer, The Motley Fool reported.
Among potential owners for Boston Dynamics are Amazon and Toyota.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments