Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert said that the company is planning on making its dog-like SpotMini robots ready for purchase next year.
Speaking at the TechCrunch Robotics Sessions conference at UC Berkeley Raibert said that the SpotMini is already in pre-production.
“The SpotMini robot is one that was motivated by thinking about what could go in an office — in a space more accessible for business applications — and then, the home eventually,” Raibert said.
Boston Dynamics describes the SpotMini as a “nimble robot that handles objects, climbs stairs, and will operate in offices, homes and outdoors.”
The four-legged robot weighs 25kg and can pick up and handle objects using its 5 degree-of-freedom arm and perception sensors. It can operate for about 90 minutes on a charge.
The company is also working on add-on packages. “For instance, we have a surveillance package where we have special cameras that can mount on the back,” Raibert said.
It’s unclear how much the robots will cost or who will be eligible to purchase them.
The video below shows how the SpotMini can autonomously navigate a specified route through an office and lab facility. The robot can build a map of a space using visual data from cameras mounted on the front, back and sides.
