Robot Dog Rolling Stones Tribute Act - World's First?

Spot's Tribute to The Rolling Stones

Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot is known for its robust capabilities and dynamic movements. Recently, the company released a new video showcasing Spot’s agility, inspired by The Rolling Stones’ iconic “Start Me Up” music video, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their Tattoo You album.

Recreating a Classic

The video, titled “Spot Me Up,” features a group of four Spot robots attempting to replicate the energetic choreography from the original 1981 video. This demonstration highlights the advancements in the robot’s dexterity and control systems.

For Boston Dynamics, viral videos have consistently served as a key marketing strategy. As the robots become more advanced, the complexity and impressiveness of these demonstrations have also increased.

A History of Music and Tech

The Rolling Stones themselves have a history of collaborating with technology for promotional purposes. Notably, their song “Start Me Up” was famously used in a marketing campaign for Windows 95 in the mid-1990s.

This collaboration predates the current widespread practice of licensing music for commercial advertising.

Behind the Scenes

The new video presents a split-screen comparison, showing the Spot robots performing alongside footage of The Rolling Stones in their prime. It’s a visual tribute to a legendary band and a legendary drummer, Charlie Watts.

While “Start Me Up” reportedly took The Rolling Stones only six hours to record, the effort required to choreograph the robotic performance remains undisclosed. Creating even a short video, as seen with the 90-second clip, involves significant planning and execution.

Context and Timing

The release of this video coincides with growing public discussion and examination of the ethical and practical implications of autonomous robotic systems.

This timing adds another layer of interest to the demonstration of Spot’s capabilities.