MSCHF Remote Control Paintball Gun - Spotting Device

Experiencing Spot: A Remote Control Test Drive

I have had the opportunity to operate the Spot robot in various environments and capacities. Initially, I controlled it during a Robotics event, navigating an obstacle course. Later, I piloted it from Boston Dynamics’ headquarters and, more recently, through a web browser to assess its new remote interface.

However, a recent trial differed significantly. This operation wasn’t formally authorized by Boston Dynamics. The advanced quadrupedal robot has been deployed in the public sphere for some time, and several individuals have begun offering remote Spot walking experiences within San Francisco’s city limits.

MSCHF’s Unique Approach

The latest endeavor from MSCHF isn’t quite the same. This shouldn’t be surprising, as the Brooklyn-based company rarely takes conventional routes. They are the creators of the “pirate radio” streaming service, All The Streams.FM, and the Amazon Echo ultrasonic jammer. Their projects often serve as commentary—on privacy, consumerism, or, in this instance, a potentially unsettling vision of the future of robotics.

Like many, the company was intrigued when Boston Dynamics made Spot commercially available. Unlike most, MSCHF successfully acquired one for $75,000.

Subsequently, they affixed a paintball gun to its chassis.

Spot’s Rampage: A Live, Interactive Experience

Beginning Wednesday, users can remotely control a Spot unit via MSCHF’s website and operate the attached paintball gun within a contained environment. The company has dubbed this event “Spot’s Rampage.”

“The stream will commence Wednesday at 1 PM EST,” stated Daniel Greenberg of MSCHF to TechCrunch. “A four-camera livestream will be active, and users on their mobile devices will have an equal opportunity to control Spot. The driver will change every two minutes, and the event will continue for several hours.”

Prior to launching the web portal, the company developed an API to remotely manage both Spot’s SDK and the paintball gun. This setup has not been well-received by Boston Dynamics.

Boston Dynamics’ Concerns

Boston Dynamics, having already navigated the complexities of public perception fueled by cautionary science fiction like Black Mirror, views the prospect of a third party mounting a weapon—even one firing paint—with considerable unease.

TechCrunch was informed by Boston Dynamics that they initially engaged with the company. “They approached us with a concept for a creative project involving Spot,” a representative explained. “They are a creative team with a history of innovative endeavors. During our discussions, we emphasized that any collaboration would require a commitment to ensuring the robots are not used in ways that could harm individuals.”

The introduction of the paintball gun prompted Boston Dynamics to reconsider. On Friday, they released a statement via Twitter.

This statement aligns with the stipulations outlined in Spot’s contract, which prohibits using the robot for illegal activities or to intimidate or cause harm. The company also implements “due diligence” procedures for potential customers, including background checks.

A Gray Area in Terms of Service

The application presents a complex situation for Boston Dynamics. MSCHF initially presented its idea to the robotics company, which expressed reservations, deeming it inconsistent with the intended purpose of the quadrupedal robots. The official Spot’s Rampage website notes:

Boston Dynamics contends that MSCHF’s “understanding of the interaction” is “inaccurate.”

“We frequently receive marketing proposals aimed at creating exceptional and engaging experiences,” the company added. “Selling a single robot is not particularly interesting. Developing an immersive, interactive experience is genuinely compelling to us. They proposed an interactive concept, and we found it incredibly innovative and appealing.”

Boston Dynamics suggested utilizing Spot’s robotic arm to paint a physical space with a brush instead of the paintball gun. They also offered to dispatch technicians to maintain the robot during the livestream and provide backup units.

The Symbolic Weight of a Robot with a Gun

MSCHF’s inclusion of the paintball gun transcends mere artistic expression. The image of a robot wielding a weapon—even one firing paint—is inherently unsettling. This is, in essence, the intended effect.

“It’s easy to perceive these robots as endearing, almost sentient companions when they dance and stumble,” says Greenberg. “They are charming when they malfunction and fall. We’ve embraced this perception by creating a ‘bull-in-a-china-shop’ scenario. However, it’s crucial to remember that earlier iterations of Spot [Big Dog] were explicitly designed as military pack mules, and their public deployments often involve city agencies and law enforcement. Ultimately, Spot is a terrestrial UAV – driving this robot and firing the trigger will elevate your adrenaline, but we hope it will also instill a sense of unease a few minutes later. Anyone with sound judgment recognizes that these seemingly harmless machines will eventually be capable of causing harm.”

While initial Boston Dynamics robots were funded by DARPA for transport applications, the company actively distances itself from any imagery suggesting a menacing purpose.

Boston Dynamics faced criticism from the ACLU after showcasing footage of a Spot unit participating in drills with the Massachusetts State Police at a TechCrunch robotics event.

Terms of Service and Future Implications

The company conveyed to TechCrunch at the time:

As MSCHF prepares to launch its event, they echo these sentiments.

“I declined a customer who intended to use Spot in a haunted house,” Boston Dynamics tells TechCrunch. “Even placing it in that context, using our technology to frighten people, was outside our terms of use and not aligned with our vision for the product’s beneficial applications. Therefore, we rejected that initial sale. If this concept had been presented during initial sales discussions, we likely would have suggested exploring alternative options, such as an Arduino quadruped, which could easily accommodate this activation. This is not representative of how we envision our technology being utilized.”

The question of whether Boston Dynamics can effectively reverse this situation remains open. In cases of Terms of Service violations, the company can choose not to renew the license, effectively deactivating the robot upon the next firmware update. Other violations could void the warranty, preventing future servicing.

However, firing a paintball gun in a controlled environment likely doesn’t constitute harm, intimidation, or illegal activity. Therefore, Boston Dynamics’ direct recourse in this instance is unclear.

“We are currently evaluating this specific use case,” Boston Dynamics states. “We also have other terms of service addressing robot modification in ways that compromise safety. We are assessing the implications.”

Boston Dynamics (whose acquisition by Hyundai is anticipated to finalize in June) has dedicated significant effort to demonstrating the robot’s diverse capabilities, from routine inspections in hazardous environments to the intricate dance routines showcased in a recent viral video. MSCHF’s primary—and arguably sole—purpose is to create an interactive art installation.

“To be frank, we have no further plans for the robot,” concludes Greenberg. “We don’t typically repeat projects, so we’ll need to be exceptionally creative. Perhaps a mobile cup holder.”