There are guard dogs, therapy dogs, lap dogs, and now…robot dogs? We’re hesitant to even call this thing an actual dog, since it definitely looks more like a robot than a canine companion. But the team over at Boston Dynamics has been working hard on developing a household robot friend called SpotMini.
Their newest model is miles ahead of the previous prototype that they introduced last year. In this newer SpotMini, the motion is more fluid, the movements are more lifelike, and the body looks a little nicer with this happy yellow covering.
The goal for this robot is for it to be able to complete common household chores, kind of like a Roomba on steroids. While the video doesn’t give us an idea of what SpotMini’s capabilities really are, it does give us a sense of how well it can move and get around your home.
Boston Dynamics is the perfect company to develop such a product because it specializes in robot technology. Their products have been used by clients such as the U.S. Military, so you know that their work is top-notch. With some of the smartest engineers working together on this project, the final product is bound to be interesting.
So while we’re not entirely sold on calling this thing a “dog,” it would be pretty cool to have a robot that does all your chores. The SpotMini isn’t available to the public yet, but when it is, it might just be the next big thing.