boston dynamics’ spot is getting an arm and self-charging dock next year
Rob Playter, the current Chief Executive Officer of Boston Dynamics, recently informed TechCrunch that the company has sold approximately 260 units of its advanced Spot robot as of his presentation at Disrupt last month. Despite initial inquiries regarding the commercial viability of the $75,000 robot, it is evident that numerous industries are exploring potential applications for this technology.
A key aspect of Spot’s appeal lies in its function as a development platform for engineers and external parties, enabling them to create custom attachments for diverse uses, spanning from construction oversight to remote healthcare. Simultaneously, Boston Dynamics is proactively creating its own accessories to broaden the range of Spot’s capabilities.
The company has unveiled plans to introduce an arm attachment capable of performing a variety of functions, including door operation and object manipulation. This addition is a logical step, considering the arm was showcased in early Spot and Spot Mini demonstration videos from several years ago. Frankly, its omission from the initial commercial release was somewhat surprising.
The arm is scheduled for release in the early part of next year. It possesses six degrees of freedom and is engineered to move in coordination with the robot itself. “As with the core robot,” the company states, “the arm incorporates more than just physical components. It will be delivered with a user-friendly interface and the ability to function through both remote control and pre-programmed autonomous actions via a tablet.”Developers will have access to the arm/gripper through an application programming interface (API). Automated features such as opening doors, and lifting and moving items, will be available as beta programs when the arm becomes available.
Boston Dynamics is also announcing a version of the robot geared towards enterprise use, which includes a self-charging station. Similar to a highly advanced robotic vacuum cleaner, Spot will be able to autonomously navigate back to the dock for recharging. This system is intended for use in locations such as oil platforms and areas with hazardous radiation, where the robot can operate with minimal human intervention.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TErar3R4x-8
The availability of these features is also anticipated in the early months of next year. Pricing details are currently pending.
Brian Heater