Boston Dynamics Spot hands-on: new dog, new tricks

Boston Dynamics is putting Spot to work. The company has announced a new leasing program for its Spot robot (formerly SpotMini), which is aimed at construction, entertainment, and other automation-friendly industries. But is the world ready for this semi-autonomous quadruped?

[TheVerge]

With the new leasing program, there are a lot more of these robots in the world. How would you feel about seeing Spot in real life?

[mikemiller]

“For the robot you’re just an object that is too big to step on.” ...how comforting

[alnistler]

2019: "Spot only sees you as an obstacle"
2020: "spot, execute order 66"

[kevincanavan]

“You’re just an obstacle that’s too big to step on!”
I’m sorry was that supposed to reassure me?!

[spiksplinter]

4:17 “For the robot, you’re just an obstacle too big to step on.”


So they can step on babies

[IPlayKindred]

Me: "hey spot can you get me coffee"
Spot: "no"

*Detroit become human*

[OttoKnowsBest]

I am a little worried about the lack of customizable RGB LEDs...

[tryhardshreck]

U.S military: " how much for 1000 and no paperwork"

[TiagoTiagoT]

"For the robot, you're just an obstacle"


...

[DerChrizzIX]

"For the robot, you’re just an obstacle too big to step on."


YET

[rdvoidmen]

And 7 months later we have spot hanging out in Singapore parks telling people to keep distance..

[SuperTadpole]

"Designed to carry things on its back, like a machine gun or a katana"

[jonathanpalmquist]

US Military: "Hey can we get some of those? We PROMISE not to attach a weapons module."

[janebusby]

4:17 “For the robot, you’re just an obstacle too big to step on.”

And that’s supposed to make me feel BETTER about them rising up and taking over the world??? 😨

[phblinn]

I'd expect they'll develop a "living hold" mode, where it sways its body just a little bit, replants a foot here and there, and so forth, when it's not otherwise engaged in a task. That would be not only dissipate much of the creepiness he mentions, but more importantly serve as a safety feature to keep bystanders on notice that it's powered up and ready to do something so they won't just ignore it as they would any nonliving object like a rock.

[ericchad]

"Most of the partnership is confidential" which means the military is in partnership.

[amaldev]

Boston dynamics will be a trillion dollar company by 2030

[RANDOMstuffanimation]

"for the robot, you're just an obstacle"

*Detroit: Become Human*

[doomguy]

This robot doesn't scare me at all, It makes me very excited. It's so surreal to see a robot this advanced, and knowing it wasn't possible a decade ago. I'm looking forward to see what exists in the next decade

[RetroRockGamer]

I've seen enough Black Mirror to know where this ends.