Boston Dynamics, better known for the hulking robot brute known as ATLAS, has just revealed a considerably smaller creation that looks like a cross between a golden retriever and a baby giraffe. But forget about it just replacing your family pet: SpotMini looks like it can replace your housecleaner too.
Boston Dynamics’ line of robotic dogs creep the hell out of me and other sensible humans on this doomed planet. But at least my gut call is partially justified by this probably world-first meeting of man’s best friend and man’s future downfall.
If you thought waking up on Christmas morning to above-average temperatures and no snow on the ground was scary, Boston Dynamics gives us a far more terrifying glimpse into a dystopian future where Santa’s reindeer have been replaced with (highly kickable) trotting robotic dogs.
Oh look. Boston Dynamics — of future robot apocalypse fame — have made another mechanical dog. And this one can go inside houses. Great.
From privacy concerns to monopolies, some people have been growing increasingly concerned over some of Google's business practices for years now. Wonder what those types think now the search giant owns a company that makes military robots.
And to think, we were starting to get worried about Atlas.
Fire won't stop them. Bullets won't stop them. Now not even a road covered in loose rocks will slow down our demise at the hands of our eventual robot destroyers.
Last year, DARPA unveiled Cheetah: a robot that could run faster than Usain Bolt. Now, the same team has managed to create a version that doesn't need a power cord, making the electronic beast free to roam wherever it chooses. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
The team at Boston Dynamics have nudged me one step closer to moving to a desert island with this new footage of its very Metal Gear-like BigDog throwing cinder blocks.
It looks more organic than robotic.
