Robot-dog Spot: A versatile robot
Spot can carry loads weighing up to 14 kg on its back.
It stands up when it falls and works in temperatures between -20 and 45
degrees Celsius.
It has a range of 90 minutes and a maximum speed of 4.8 km/h.
The robot can move according to the instructions given to it, avoid
obstacles and maintain its balance in extreme circumstances.
It is also water resistant, making it a fairly versatile work tool.
Up to four modules can be connected to its back to make it perform
different tasks.
For example, a camera, a clamp or an antenna can be connected to it to
communicate with it over longer distances.
Beyond receiving commands, Spot is not designed to interact with humans.
Boston Dynamics therefore wants it to serve in controlled environments,
which explains their decision to offer it only to companies for now.
The New York Police Department will do without a robot dog.:
It confirmed Thursday to AFP that it has ended its contract with the
company Boston Dynamics.
Which manufactures these machines, whose use had worried part of the
population.
The head of intelligence and counter-terrorism of the New York Police
Department, John Miller, told that the dog would be returned to Boston
Dynamics.
And that the decision was related to the fact that the robot had become
a "target" for its opponents.
The contract was originally set to expire in August.
Robotic dogs do not react to human provocation
Like their flesh-and-blood counterparts, SpotMini canine robots,
designed by Boston Dynamics, can be well trained.
At least that's what a simulation in a specific context reveals: a
bickering over control of a door.
After demonstrating last week that its quadrupedal robots could easily
open doors.
The robotics company has shown that they can also remain unmoved by
human provocation.
New video released by Boston Dynamics shows a SpotMini applying itself
to open a door.
When a man approaches with a field hockey stick and shoves it.
The robot wobbles, but continues to open the door with a claw-like arm.
The man then closes the door and pulls the canine robot back with a rope
that acts as a tail for the robotic animal.
The SpotMini struggles for a few seconds to get loose, then the man capitulates.
The robot then gets back in front of the door and opens it without any problem.
This type of simulation is crucial to the development of the canine
robot, according to Boston Dynamics.
For the company, the attack is a "test to verify SpotMini's ability
to adapt to disturbances during a door opening."
The loss of a part during the attack "does not irritate or injure
the robot."
End of the game for the robot-dog at the NYPD
This new demonstration of the capabilities of robotics and artificial
intelligence is raising some concern.
Declaring a report written by 26 experts warns against the use of drones
or robots for terrorist purposes.
The police had acquired, on lease, the robot's copy last year.
"This dog is going to save lives, protect people and protect officers,
and that's our goal…"
Said Frank Digiacomo, head of field technical assistance to the local
ABC station in December;
The robots, whose standard model is called Spot by Boston Dynamics, are
capable of navigating rough terrain.
Also, they are avoiding obstacles, filming and gathering information
about their surroundings.
They can also be equipped with a movable arm, attached to where a real
dog's head would be.
Which was not the case with the NYPD's example.
Previous cases that upset the public
In February, during a police intervention, the mechanical dog was sent
to scout a Bronx building.
That is after receiving a call that a burglar had barricaded himself in
an apartment.
He didn't find anything, but the images caused a stir.
Some have raised the risk that this robot could present as a potential
surveillance tool.
The quadruped, which Boston Dynamics is offering for $74,500, was seen
again in mid-April in Manhattan during hostage situation, where it was not
used.
Videos of the dog walking on the sidewalk once again set social networks
ablaze.
Some people saw it as an illustration of the aggressive methods of the New
York City police.
Especially towards minorities, as the intervention took place in a housing
project.
Robots, a danger for society?
Nothing was found, but the images caused a stir, with many people
talking about the risk that this robot could present as a potential
surveillance tool.
On Twitter, the politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez protested that this
robot is being tested in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Where funding for education, health
or housing should be a priority.
Other voices, especially on Twitter, are speaking out against the dangers
of robots.
Which could be used to monitor
the population and even be equipped with tasers.
Daniel Valls of Freedom News TV filmed the robot in action and exclaimed
"this thing is creepy".
Jay Stanley of the American Civil Liberties Union (Aclu) said that using
a robot to do police work could have implications for bias.
Also, for mobile surveillance, hacking, and privacy…
He also worries that Digidog could be combined with other technologies
to become a weapon.
It seems inevitable, however, that this kind of robot will be used more
and more in the future, especially when it prevents human casualties.
Many people saw it as an illustration of methods considered aggressive
on the part of the New York City police.
Particularly towards minorities, since the intervention had taken place in
low-income housing (HLM).
