Boston Dynamics is a name that is closely related to the world of robotics. They recently released videos of their robot Atlas doing backflips better than most humans can. They are back in the headlines and this time it is their robot-dog SpotMini that is making the headlines.
The company posted a new video on Monday in which the SpotMini robot can be seen opening a door all on his own. The 45-second video is titled “Hey Buddy, Can You Give Me a Hand?” The video shows the robot walking over to a door before realizing that it can’t get through.
Another robot quickly comes to the aid and extends his clawed arm or paw to grab the door handle. It holds the door open while the other robot-dog passes through the door. Apparently, Boston Dynamics has added even more useful skills to the SpotMini after the design update in November.
SpotMini is a small four-legged robot and can sit comfortably in an office or a home. Weighing 25 to 30 kg with the robotic arm, it is able to pick up and handle items with the mechanical arm and perception sensors. The robot-dog was introduced in 2016 advertising that it can wash dishes, pick up the trash and complete other simple tasks to help around the house.
Thr robot is all-electric and lasts 90 minutes on a single charge. According to the firm, it is the quietest robot they have ever built. The latest video also shows off a pair of 3D cameras that may be used to power and autonomous navigation system.
The video does not show if the robot was being directed to open the door or whether it was doing so on its own. The company is currently owned by Japanese tech giant as it was sold last year by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. You can check out the viral video here:
