Boston Dynamics will start selling its dog-like SpotMini robot in 2019

TL;DR

Boston Dynamics' Spot Mini robot is currently in pre-production and expected to be available for purchase in the near future.

Transcript

I mean you mentioned spot many as an example of this is this a device that we're going to is this going to be on the market at some point in the near future will I be able to buy a spot many for my office yes so spot many is in pre-production now we've built 10 units that's a design that's close to a manufacturer we'll design we built them in-house... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 Spot Mini is in pre-production with plans for commercial availability in the near future.
• 🤖 The robot utilizes cameras for navigation, obstacle detection, and map building.
• 💦 Boston Dynamics is working with proof-of-concept customers to test Spot Mini in various applications before commercial release.
• 🥳 Users can customize the Spot Mini with third-party hardware and software, turning it into a versatile robotic platform.
• 🇨🇷 The latest prototype achieved a significant cost reduction, with further efforts to balance reliability, performance, and costs.
• 🙂 The Spot Mini can be used for surveillance purposes, with specialized low-light cameras that can be mounted on the robot.
• 😤 Boston Dynamics is expanding its software team to accommodate the growing complexity of the robot's perception and motion planning capabilities.

Questions & Answers

Q: When will Spot Mini be available for purchase?

Spot Mini is currently in pre-production, with plans to start higher rate production by the middle of next year. It is expected to be available for purchase in the near future.

Q: How does the Spot Mini robot navigate and detect obstacles?

The robot uses forward, backward, and side-facing cameras to navigate through spaces and build maps. It can detect obstacles, such as stairs, by analyzing the camera data and orienting itself accordingly.

Q: What is the price point of the Spot Mini robot?

The specific price point has not been disclosed yet. However, the latest prototype has achieved a 10 times reduction in cost compared to previous versions, and Boston Dynamics aims to further reduce costs while maintaining reliability and performance.

Q: Can users develop and install third-party applications on the Spot Mini?

Yes, the Spot Mini is designed as both a hardware and software platform. It features mounting plates for attaching third-party hardware, while offering a network connection and API for software development. Users and third-party developers can create and install applications for the robot.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Spot Mini is currently in pre-production, with plans to build 100 units through a contract manufacturer by next year.

• Boston Dynamics is working with proof-of-concept customers to test the robot in various applications before selling it commercially.

• The Spot Mini robot utilizes cameras for navigation and obstacle detection, and can be customized with third-party hardware and software.