Boston Dynamics’ popular bot has now received an update that gives it unprecedented utility. In fact, he becomes an employee with unique tools to serve in the most diverse operations. It will open doors, patrol locations, assess structures and even detect temperature changes or leaks. But there’s more, and the company details what’s new to Spot.
The site is becoming increasingly "smart and useful".
Available for purchase since 2020, the four-legged robot from Boston Dynamics has been primarily used as a stand-alone inspection and exploration tool.
now , The company revealed Several upgrades to Spot that will improve its ability to perform these types of tasks, including finally being able to use handles to open doors on their own.
According to the Boston DynamicsCurrently, there are more than 1,000 Spot bots in active use worldwide, in more than 35 countries. However, with new updates to the bot now being announced, its versatility could greatly expand its adoption.
According to those responsible for Boston Dynamics, the robot is now easy and safe to use, and much better at navigating a wider range of challenging terrain.
Most updates will satisfy those who rely on Spot for routine inspections in industrial environments. The robot has received new software that allows Spot not only to take pictures of analog gauges, such as a barometer, but also to take its own readings using computer vision. Moreover, the device will now be able to share the collected data without the need for a human operator to read the captured images remotely.
Finally, while Boston Dynamics had previously demonstrated that the Spot used an articulated, hand-attached arm to open doors, this feature relied on a human operator using a remote control to manipulate the arm. This means that for Spot to patrol the installation independently, it still needs a human operator monitoring its progress to help with doors remotely, or to intentionally leave those doors unlocked, which isn't always an option.
Will spot her lever to "open doors"
Soon, Boston Dynamics Spots around the world will be equipped with the articulated arm accessory to open and navigate doors themselves, though it was initially offered as an experimental feature while the robot is still learning to master this specific ability.
Spot's ability to monitor temperatures with thermal cameras is also enhanced, including notifications when equipment gets too hot or too cold outside of a preset range.
In addition, the new equipment provides sonic imaging using a sound monitoring payload that can automatically detect invisible air and gas leaks in systems operating under high pressure. Spot cannot act when a problem arises, but it can help detect problems at an early stage through regular maintenance patrols, allowing minor issues to be addressed before they become catastrophic.
Although Spot is designed to replace human inspectors 24/7, in many situations the bot continues to work alongside humans doing other work. As such, the Boston Dynamics has introduced a new audible and visual warning system To help make its presence known and to make it easier to understand what the bot is doing.
In addition to an audible signal and a loudspeaker, the The Spot now comes with five warning lights. It blinks green during normal operation, it blinks amber when people should be more careful around you, such as when the Spot is climbing stairs or crossing a busy intersection at a facility, and it blinks white when readings are taken for inspection.
Spot is also updated with an extension Physical emergency stop button on the back, which was previously accessible as a software feature by remote operators. The switch will make the robot stop whatever it's doing, fall to the ground and flash red warning lights.
To make the four-legged robot better at navigating independently in a variety of terrains and surfaces, Spot's ability to balance to recover while sliding has been improved. When traversing wet and slippery floors, a new crawling gait has also been introduced, in which the robot progresses slowly, limited to one leg movement at a time, while lowering its body close to the ground to improve its balance.
