Boston Dynamics, Inc., originating as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992, is an American engineering and robotics design firm. Situated in Waltham, Massachusetts, it became part of the Hyundai Motor Group in December 2020, with the acquisition being finalized in June 2021. Specializing in the creation of dynamic and highly mobile robots, Boston Dynamics has introduced notable models such as BigDog, Spot, Atlas, and Handle. Notably, Spot became commercially available in 2019, marking the company’s first venture into commercial robotics. Boston Dynamics has expressed its intention to commercialize other robots, including Handle. Founded by Marc Raibert, the company traces its roots to Raibert’s Leg Laboratory, an influential research lab at both MIT and Carnegie Mellon University. This laboratory laid the groundwork for the development of agile, perceptive, and intelligent robots, drawing inspiration from the natural movements of animals. In this article we will talk about the company’s popularly known bot ‘Spot’, how it evolved, what are its functions how is it helpful and what is the audience’s reaction towards it.
Boston Dynamics first unveiled Spot, a four-legged robotic canine, on June 23, 2016. Weighing just 25 kg (55 pounds), Spot is lighter than the company’s other products. In November 2017, a promotional video featuring Spot using its forward claw to open a door for another robot gained massive popularity, reaching the #1 spot on YouTube with over 2 million views. Subsequent footage that same month showed Spot persistently attempting to open the door despite human interference. This persistence led some viewers to perceive the robot as “creepy,” evoking images of relentless sci-fi robots on missions of destruction. During the TechCrunch Robotics Session 2018 on May 11, 2018, Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert announced that Spot was in pre-production and gearing up for commercial availability in 2019.
Boston Dynamics emphasizes on its website that Spot is the “quietest robot [they] have built.” Initially, the company announced plans to manufacture the first 100 Spots for commercial purposes later in the year, with intentions to ramp up production for a 2019 release. However, in September 2019, journalists were informed that the robots would not be sold outright but instead offered on lease to selected business partners.
In November 2019, the Massachusetts State Police became the inaugural law enforcement agency to deploy Spot, utilizing it in their bomb squad and other capacities. As of January 23, 2020, Spot’s Software Development Kit (SDK) has been accessible to all via GitHub, enabling programmers to create tailored applications for Spot across various industries. Boston Dynamics subsequently made Spot available for public purchase on June 16, 2020, at a price of US$74,500 (equivalent to $87,710 in 2023).
On June 23, 2020, a singular Spot robot named ‘Zeus’ was employed by SpaceX at their Boca Chica Starship Test Site for tasks such as managing sub-cooled liquid nitrogen and conducting inspections of ‘potentially hazardous’ locations in and around the launchpad. During a baseball match between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Rakuten Eagles on July 9, 2020, a group of Spot robots served as cheerleaders in the stands, complemented by a squad of SoftBank Pepper Robots. In November 2020, Spot carried out inspection duties on the Skarv floating production storage and offloading vessel. On April 9, 2021, Michael Reeves uploaded a YouTube video featuring a modified Spot robot equipped with a pressurized beer canister and a nozzle resembling male genitalia, designed to detect red plastic cups and dispense beer into them. Artist Agnieszka Pilat sold a painting created by Spot for $40,000 at Brian Boitano’s residence on March 18, 2022, to support Ukrainian refugees. Titled “Sunrise March,” the painting was produced by applying paint to Spot’s feet and having the robot rotate in circles.
Spot comprises several essential components, including its body, which accommodates computers and cameras, and its four legs. Each leg consists of a hinged knee connecting the upper and lower leg sections, along with a ball joint at the hip where the upper leg interfaces with the body. Spot features five stereo cameras—two positioned at the front, one on each side, and one at the rear. Additionally, it includes a pair of status light LED strips located at the front, two payload mounting rails along the top sides of the body, and two payload ports situated at the top rear and top middle of the body. Lifting handles are present on each of Spot’s hips. The power port and its cover are positioned at the back of the robot near the top. Below, on the back of the robot, are the power button, motor lockout button, and ethernet port along with their respective caps. Each Spot Battery incorporates a State of Charge (SoC) button, which indicates the battery charge level through a row of up to five LEDs.
Spot boasts a versatile design suited for various industries and tasks. Its implementation spans across diverse sectors such as construction, agriculture, security, and entertainment. In construction, Spot aids in site inspection, surveying hazardous areas, and carrying payloads, reducing human exposure to risks. Agricultural applications include monitoring crops, herding livestock, and assessing soil conditions, contributing to enhanced efficiency and yield optimization.
Furthermore, Spot finds utility in security operations, patrolling premises, and conducting surveillance in areas inaccessible to humans. In entertainment, it serves as a captivating attraction in theme parks and events, showcasing the advancements in robotics technology. Moreover, Spot’s adaptability allows for customization with additional hardware and software, further expanding its utility in various domains.
Spot offers several advantages that make it a desirable asset across industries. Firstly, its agility and manoeuvrability enable navigation through challenging terrain and tight spaces with ease, outperforming conventional wheeled robots. Secondly, Spot’s autonomy and programmability allow for autonomous operation and integration with existing systems, reducing the need for constant human supervision.
Moreover, its modular design facilitates easy customization and integration of additional sensors and tools, enhancing its functionality for specific tasks. Additionally, Spot’s durability and resilience make it suitable for operation in harsh environments, enduring extreme temperatures, and adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, its non-threatening appearance fosters acceptance and interaction in human-centric environments, facilitating collaborative work alongside humans.
Despite its numerous advantages, Spot is not without limitations and drawbacks. One major concern revolves around the potential loss of jobs, as automation with robots like Spot may replace human workers in certain roles, raising questions about unemployment and job displacement. Additionally, the high initial cost of acquisition and maintenance may deter smaller businesses and organizations from adopting Spot, limiting its accessibility and widespread deployment. Furthermore, ethical considerations arise regarding privacy invasion and surveillance capabilities, especially in sensitive areas such as homes and public spaces. There are also concerns about the misuse of Spot for malicious purposes, such as weaponization or surveillance without consent, highlighting the need for robust regulations and ethical guidelines governing its deployment.
Spot’s introduction into the public sphere has elicited a spectrum of reactions, ranging from fascination to apprehension. Many individuals marvel at its capabilities and potential to revolutionize various industries, seeing it as a glimpse into the future of robotics and automation. Moreover, Spot’s appearances in viral videos performing impressive feats garner admiration and excitement, generating widespread interest and curiosity. However, others express concerns about the implications of widespread adoption of robots like Spot. Scepticism regarding job displacement and the erosion of human-centric values in industries dominated by automation prevails among certain groups. Additionally, anxieties regarding privacy invasion and the ethical implications of autonomous robotic systems persist, sparking debates about the appropriate boundaries and regulations governing their use.
In conclusion, Boston Dynamics’ Spot represents a remarkable advancement in robotics technology, offering a myriad of applications across industries. Its implementation spans diverse sectors, showcasing its versatility and adaptability. Despite its advantages, Spot presents challenges and concerns, including job displacement, ethical considerations, and public apprehension. However, with thoughtful regulation and ethical guidelines, Spot holds the potential to revolutionize various industries while addressing societal concerns and ensuring responsible deployment. As technology continues to evolve, the future role of robots like Spot will undoubtedly shape the way we work, interact, and perceive automation in society.