Boston Dynamics has been talking about a public release for its Spot robot. Even though it is not going for sale, if your wallet is full and you would like to empty it, this story is for you.
The Spot can go where you tell it, avoid obstacles, and keep its balance under extreme circumstances — which are all crucial skills if you’re trying to navigate an unknown environment. It can also carry up to four hardware modules on its back, giving companies a way to swap in whatever skills the robot needs for this particular job. If it’s checking for gas leaks, you can build in a methane detector. If you need connectivity over longer distances, you can attach a mesh radio module. Boston Dynamics is already outfitting units with LIDAR rigs to create 3D maps of indoor spaces.
