Boston · Dynamics plans to produce 1000 dog-like quadruped walking robot 'SpotMini' annually

In Boston Dynamics, which has made numerous autonomous walking robots, we plan to market the quadruped walking robot "SpotMini" in 2019 . Originally it was a story of "producing 100 bodies", but it is clear that the plan is expanding and it is a policy to produce "1000 bodies a year".

Boston Dynamics Is Gearing Up to Produce Thousands of Robot Dogs | Fortune
http://fortune.com/2018/07/21/boston-dynamics-spotmini-robot-dog/

Boston Dynamics Looks to Follow Viral Fame with 1,000 Robot Dogs in 2019 | Inverse
https://www.inverse.com/article/47137-boston-dynamics-plans-for-robot-dogs-in-2019

"SpotMini" is a quadruped walking robot developed by Boston Dynamics. A long neck bent in halfway from the body of the medium size dog is stretched, and the tip is shaped like an arm that can grasp objects.

The stability of walking is high, even if it falls it is possible to get up on its own.

Four-legged walking robot "SpotMini" who stands on its own by sliding on a banana but stands on its own - GIGAZINE

Even if it is disturbed, I have also shown the high performing ability to do the task of "opening the door" without disturbing.

You can open doors yourself Boston · Dynamics "SpotMini" can be completed by thinking oneself even if disturbed by human - GIGAZINE

According to Mark Laybert, founder of Boston Dynamics, SpotMini is currently being tested in four areas of "construction", "delivery", "security", "home assistance", and a flexible platform for various applications It is set as a future goal to produce.

"Delivery" is thought to be the most competitive field. Although Amazon has already started "Prime Air" which delivers goods by drone, because drone has many restrictions on flight, it seems that there is demand also for SpotMini to transport by walking. This direction leads to the delivery robot of Starship Technologies made by Skype founder.

Skype founders set up a company for the development of automatic delivery robots, running on the ground rather than the drone - GIGAZINE

Meanwhile, there is a view that is concerned about the future potential of the business. Boston dynamics was acquired by Google in 2013 and sold to Softbank in 2017. Fortune said that "Uncertainty in whether Boston · Dynamics can produce marketable products It is because it is because it is.

Whether we can proceed from a mere "funny robot maker" to a product of commercial value, Boston · Dynamics seems to be a critical point for the next two years from now.