Important Innovations

Spot the RoboDog on Duty to Monitor & Protect Pompei's Ancient Ruins                                                                                          Source:  Pompei New Tech Guarding Ancient History This is a fascinating case of highly advanced robotic, AI, drone and laser technologies being deployed to guard and protect ancient, historical ruins dating back more than 2,000 years.  Famous robot dog Spot, created by US based Boston Robotics and now owned by Hyundai, is deployed by Italy's Archeological Park of Pompei to roam around the ruins to inspect and monitor the condition of the famous archeological structures. Robotic Patrols for Data Collection Spot is a quadruped robot with great dexterity and A...

  MobED or Mobile Eccentric Droid                                                       Source:  Hyundai Incredible Piece of Robotic Technology For the first time since Hyundai took a controlling stake in global robotics leader Boston Dynamics, it has released a remarkable new robot.  It's a 4 wheeled robot called MobED for Mobile Eccentric Droid.  This droid is outstanding for its precision, maneuverability, mobility and stability.  It is capable of carrying precariously stacked champagne glasses up an incline.  Right now, it is designed to carry small objects but eventually it could be used to carry people.  MobED will make its official debut at the January 2022 CES show in Las Vegas at which time availability and price should be disclosed by Hyundai. Tech Specs The 110-pound robot looks like ...

Hyundai Completes Acquisition of Leading Robot Developer Boston Dynamics                                Source:  Hyundai & Boston Dynamics Synergies of Robotics and Automakers Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a world leader in developing agile, mobile robots such as Spot the robodog.  Boston Dynamics was valued at $1.1 billion with Hyundai having an 80% stake and SoftBank owning 20%.  The question is why would a global automaker buy a robotics company?  The answer:  Hyundai is going into robotics in multidimensional ways, including autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles and robots. Robotic Value Chain Hyundai says that it and Boston Dynamics will create a robotic value chain for everything from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions.  Hyundai already has significant internal robotic expertise inclu...

Hyundai Completes Acquisition of Leading Robot Developer Boston Dynamics                                Source:  Hyundai & Boston Dynamics Synergies of Robotics and Automakers Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a world leader in developing agile, mobile robots such as Spot the robodog.  Boston Dynamics was valued at $1.1 billion with Hyundai having an 80% stake and SoftBank owning 20%.  The question is why would a global automaker buy a robotics company?  The answer:  Hyundai is going into robotics in multidimensional ways, including autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles and robots. Robotic Value Chain Hyundai says that it and Boston Dynamics will create a robotic value chain for everything from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions.  Hyundai already has significant internal robotic expertise inclu...

  Spot Now Has an Awesome Robotic Arm     Source: Boston Dynamics: Spot Doing Chores & Flipping a Switch The New Spot Enterprise Boston Dynamics Spot RoboDog is famous and beloved globally for its capabilities.  Spot is on duty as a home  and office helper, worker on oil rigs and construction sites and as a social distancer for COVID protection, among many other of its capabilities. Boston Dynamics, now majority owned by Hyundai, has just given Spot a very impressive upgrade.  The new Spot Enterprise has remote operating capabilities, a self-charging deck and most interestingly a new robotic arm that enables some amazing capabilities. Look At What Spot Can Do Spot is now even more useful.  With its new arm, it can perform tasks like picking towels and throwing them into a basket on its back for the laundry.  The robot can plant vegetables and flowers in a garden, clean a room, operate industrial switches and valves and do a fun thing like writ...

  Purchase is About Technology for Autonomous Cars                                             Source:  Boston Dynamics $1.1 Billion Deal South Korean automaker Hyundai has purchased from Japan's Softbank the majority stake in robotics company Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion.  Boston Dynamics is a cutting edge robotics firm and world famous for its robot dog Spot.  Hyundai is making the purchase to advance its autonomous technology for self-driving cars. Multi-tasking Spot Spot is a highly advanced, semi-autonomous, 4 legged robot that works around the world in many capacities.  It is on duty in many hospitals to help minimize medical staff exposure to COVID.  Spot works on construction sites, factory floors, on oil rigs and can even serve as a personal companion that opens the door or a bottle of coke.  Now, its robotic te...

  Spot Spotted on the High Seas Aboard an Oil Rig Source:  Boston Dynamics Spot RoboDog Multitasking Robot Dog I've been following Boston Dynamics' Spot RoboDog for some time.  Here's an update on this incredible quadruped, multi-tasking robot dog.  Spot has been on duty in Asia doing polite, social distancing patrols on the streets of Singapore to advise and encourage people to keep their distances and prevent the spread of COVID-19 among residents during 2020.  Spot is serving as a service assistance robot in US offices and homes.  He's on duty as a patrol robot on UK construction sites.  And, now Spot has gone on the high-seas, aboard a British Petroleum oil rig more than 190 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico to do off-shore robotic duty.  Spot seems to be the world's greatest utility robot. Spot on Oil Rig Duty Onboard the BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, Spot is being programmed to monitor gauges, sniff out dangerous smells of methane and chec...

Boston Dynamics Puts Spot on the Market You Can Buy It for $75,000 Boston Dynamics claims that their robot dog Spot is the most advanced mobile robot in the world.  Their internet-famous Spot is now available for sale.  Boston Dynamics has been developing Spot for years.  Until now, only "select" clients could lease it. The price-tag to buy Spot is $74,500.  The robot is designed for inspections, sensing and remote operations.  Its big market opportunities are public safety, healthcare, construction and industrial uses. Top Pedigree Spot is a highly advanced and sophisticated robot.  It's been used in Singapore to encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  During a trial run, it created 3D maps of construction sites.  It can dance, open and hold doors.  Boston Dynamics says it can navigate autonomously, handles rough terrain and avoid obstacles. Top Dog Thus far, the primary customers purchasing Spot are comme...

Humanoid Robot Brother of SpotMini,  the Dancing Robot Source:  Boston Dynamics https://youtu.be/LikxFZZO2sk   for Atlas Doing Parkour <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LikxFZZO2sk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> Boston Dynamics Robotic Innovation Atlas is a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics.  It's a "brother" robot of SpotMini, the dancing robot also known as Uptown Spot. Parkour, Software and Computer Vision Atlas does parkour military exercises with ease.   The robot's software uses the entire body including arms, legs and torso to jump over a log and leap up stairs without breaking stride.  It uses computer vision to position itself accurately as it runs and jumps to target destinations.   Thought you might enjoy seeing one of the world's most agile and dynamic robots in action.  The link is ...

Boston Dynamics "I've Got Talent" Robot SpotMini Dancing https://youtu.be/kHBcVlqpvZ8 https://youtu.be/kHBcVlqpvZ8 Source:  Boston Dynamics' Spot MIni Making Musician Bruno Mars Proud SpotMini the robot not only wows when it opens doors.  It wows dancing to Bruno Mars' 2014 hit song Uptown Funk.  SpotMini even does a moonwalk.  It's brilliant robotics and the stuff superstars are made of. Uptown Spot The video is called Uptown Spot. I've embedded it for you to see.   If you have a minute to see Spot dance, you'll be delighted and mesmerized.  Boston Dynamics hasn't disclosed how they achieved the robot's natural movements and tremendous agility. Spot Goes on Sale in 2019 SpotMini goes to market and up for sale to customers in 2019.  Boston Dynamics was recently purchased from Google by SoftBank.  This is the first time in Boston Dynamics' 26 year history that it's offered a robot for purchase. They say SpotMini is f...

Boston Dynamics' Atlas - Your Tough Companion at the Gym Humanoid Extraordinaire Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot Atlas is a multi-talented, multi-tasker.  His latest feat is to bound up multi layers of platform, shifting his weight from right foot to left and back to the right foot as it runs upstairs.  In other words, it can do parkour training, using exercise movements developed from military course training. Backflips Too Atlas can backflip, run through the snow without falling, bound up stairs.  It's athletic prowess is being constantly upgraded to manage its way in the world and assist humans as a humanoid robot walking, running and jumping among us. Exciting Future of Robotics Robotic technology is advancing leaps and bounds.  Robots are clearly a growing part of our future, whether on 2 legs like Atlas, 4 legs like Boston Dynamics' Spot Mini or flying through the air like DARPA's flying robotic insects.

Boston Dynamics SpotMini Grabbing a Soda   Cranking Out Thousands of SpotMinis & Practical Robots Boston Dynamics is ready to produce a lot of SpotMinis.  You can purchase it in 2019.  It's an all-electric nimble robot that the company says is good at home, the office and outdoors.  The robot can wash the dishes, open the door, climb stairs and carry & handle packages and other objects. Productify The company is expanding its focus.  Since its founding it has been viewed as a leading R&D robotic innovation center.  Now, it's ready to also "productify"  meaning create and sell practical robots on a commercial scale.  SpotMini is a great example.  Word is they're going to unleash thousands of robots with different applications onto the market over the next few years. Uses According to the company, primary uses for SpotMini right now are as an assistant at the office, home and outdoors.  Also for emergency resp...