Boston Dynamics has developed the “Factory Safety Service Robot,” which is a safety-first version of the Spot robot, will soon be helping with operations at Hyundai Motor plants in South Korea. The carmaker, which recently bought a controlling stake in Boston Dynamics, said the new robot will work in a local Kia plant and will survey areas remotely to help identify issues before they arise.
For instance, Spot’s new thermal camera and 3D lidar are capable of identifying near machinery with high temperatures. In such cases, Spot will be able to pinpoint a fire hazard before humans can. The robot can be controlled remotely by human operators as well, and alert potential hazards to plant management.
Spot can be handy for security purposes
Hyundai also aims to have the robot accompany night patrols in order to create a safer environment. Thanks to new gadgetry incorporated with the Spot, including new AI that enables it to understand if doors are open or closed, the company hopes the robot can be a huge asset for security purposes.
It doesn’t sound like the robot is ready to chase down intruders, but can still help with many things. All of the robot’s new tasks are part of a pilot program so the company can see if there’s value in deploying Spot-based, robotic security dogs in other facilities.
Taking robotics to new heights
Spot could also soon be seen at other industrial sites across the company’s global operations, but first, Spot needs to prove its mettle and show it’s ready for the tasks thrown at it. Boston Dynamics is known for developing robots better than any other company. The company has also showcased its humanoid robot that can mimic human mannerisms.
Previously, Boston Dynamics gave a sneak peek of the Atlas robot workshop. A new video shows the robotics team highlights Atlas’s skill set that allows it to move similar to humans. The team can be seen working on the humanoid robot Atlas as they make it more efficient by adding new features. The Atlas team’s main focus is parkour, a training regime that involves an obstacle course.
