After years of research, Boston Dynamics is preparing to sell its dog-like SpotMini robot next year, according to AP News. Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert said the doggie ‘bot’ will most likely be used as a camera-equipped security guard for businesses.
Raibert thinks SpotMini will be versatile and used for other applications, since the robot has a flat platform that can integrate other equipment with its own computer programming to be mounted on top.
There are cameras on all sides of SpotMini, even one named the “butt-cam.”
Currently, there have been 10 SpotMinis made, with plans to manufacture 100 more for supplementary testing before it is mass-produced next year. There has been no price set, yet.
Boston Dynamics has continued to push the future of robotics with Atlas, a two-legged robot that can jump onto blocks, jog, do back flips and pick up packages. Raibert mentioned that maybe someday, these robots can help with construction projects.
Feature Photo Credit: In this July 20, 2017 file photo, Boston Dynamics Chief Executive Marc Raibert speaks about his four-legged robot SpotMini during a SoftBank World presentation at a hotel in Tokyo. The robotics company known for its widely shared YouTube videos of nimble, legged robots opening doors or walking through rough terrain is finally preparing to sell some of them after years of research. Raibert said Friday, May 11, 2018, his company will begin selling the dog-like SpotMini robot next year, likely to businesses for use as a camera-equipped security guard. He made the announcement at a TechCrunch robotics conference at University of California, Berkeley. Credit: AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi