Very Good:
Subject: Watch "Robert Playter: Boston Dynamics CEO on Humanoid and Legged Robotics | Lex Fridman Podcast #374" on YouTube
No, and it won't even get the chance to. See SF's attempt to do something similar.
See Spot Spy? New Generation of Police Robots Faces Backlash
Los Angeles Times, Libor Jan; Gregory Yee, December 21, 2022
Critics are eyeing the deployment of more sophisticated robots by U.S. police forces with suspicion, fearing their use for surveillance and potential threat to privacy and safety. For example, the Los Angeles Police Department intends to purchase a Spot robot from manufacturer Boston Dynamics to reportedly gather information in a "narrow set" of hazardous circumstances. This provoked opposition, as did recent attempts by San Francisco police to deploy weaponized robots in certain scenarios. The University of South Carolina's Geoff Alpert said the core issue is not whether police should use robots, but how police overseers should craft policies to guide their use. The University of California, Davis' Elizabeth Joh said local officials' "piecemeal efforts" to rein in police use of robots have mostly failed to keep pace with the technology's evolution, citing "increasing reliance by police on machine-made decisions."
Followed Boston Dynamics for years.
Q&A: Marc Raibert on the Boston Dynamics AI Institute The founder of Boston Dynamics talks with us about the new $400 million research institute By EVAN ACKERMAN
Last week, Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics announced an initial investment of over $400 million to launch the new Boston Dynamics AI Institute. The Institute was conceptualized by (and will be led by) Marc Raibert, the founder of Boston Dynamics, with the goal of “solving the most important and difficult challenges facing the creation of advanced robots.” That sounds hugely promising, but of course we had questions—namely, what are those challenges, how is this new institute going to solve them, and what are these to-be-created advanced robots actually going to do? And fortunately, IEEE Spectrum was able to speak with Marc Raibert himself to get a better understanding of what the Institute will be all about. .... '
I recall they were rejected for any police work, but fighting fires is OK. It seems the same 'Spot' style systems from Boston Dynamics. Would like to see the kinds of processes being automated. Reading up on it.
See ‘Spot’ Save: Robot Dogs Join NY Fire Department
By The New York Times, March 18, 2022
Inside a dimly lit tunnel along a stretch of simulated subway track, one of the New York Fire Department's new dogs showed off a few of its tricks. Lie down. Roll over. Stay.
But the most remarkable things that the two robotic dogs can do were mastered by real dogs long ago: jogging across rugged terrain, hopping over small obstacles and helping keep their masters out of harm's way.
The department, which plans to deploy the robots in the months ahead, is the first fire agency in the country to purchase the 70-pound machines, which cost $75,000 each and are built and sold by Boston Dynamics, a robotics company.
The department plans to use the robots to aid in some of its most precarious search and rescue missions, which might help avoid the furious backlash that erupted when the New York Police Department began using the same technology.
From The New York Times
Considerable look from Venturebeat on the Boston Dynamics Robot Spot:
Boston Dynamics has just released the latest update for its famous quadruped robot Spot, giving it better capability to make inspections and collect data without the need for human intervention.
Called Spot Release 3.0, the new update adds “flexible autonomy and repeatable data capture, making Spot the data collection solution you need to make inspection rounds safer and more efficient.” ...
Though it has been strongly criticized for anything that looks like it might support police. Not that we want to be any safer. And Boston Dynamics is suggesting it will not be configured for home use any time soon. So it remains as they say an expensive niche device for industrial inspection, tracking and protection.
Unexpected, but real uses in reconnaissance and supply applications. And just exposure of the French army and command to future, possibly more autonomous means of warfare. In another report, New York City stopped using its test police robodog.
French Army Testing Boston Dynamics' Robot Dog Spot in Combat Scenarios By The Verge, April 14, 2021
The robot dog Spot, apparently being tested for reconaissance.The French Army has been using Spot, a quadruped robot built by U.S. firm Boston Dynamics, in military exercises.
France's military used robotics developer Boston Dynamics' four-legged Spot robot in training exercises, raising questions about the robot's future applications. The French military school École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr described the tests as "raising students' awareness of the challenges of tomorrow," including the "robotization of the battlefield."
A more detailed account by French newspaper Ouest-France said Spot was one of a number of robots tested by students at the École Militaire Interarmes (Combined Arms School), apparently to evaluate their reconnaissance utility. Spot's terms and conditions prohibit its use "to harm or intimidate any person or animal, as a weapon, or to enable any weapon," and Boston Dynamics' Michael Perry said he is adamantly against the robot's weaponization....'
Having much analyzed the process, I much like the self staging and unloading of a truck demoed above.
Say hello to Boston Dynamics’ newest robot: Stretch By Trevor Mogg in Digitaltrends
Boston Dynamics has just unveiled its latest robot, but don’t expect the kind of entertaining shenanigans that we enjoy with its other creations like Spot and Atlas.
The new wheel-based robot, called Stretch, is designed for straightforward warehouse work. Using a long automated arm and a “smart gripper” featuring embedded sensors, the machine is able to work quickly, handling around 800 boxes an hour. ... '
Impressed by some of the videos from inside Boston Dynamics, and some of their agile and assistive designs that have obviously broad applications. Here is some more:
Robot specialist Boston Dynamics offers rare look inside its workshop By Trevor Mogg, March 28, 2021
Robot specialist Boston Dynamics has made a name for itself in recent years, building incredibly agile machines that can run, leap, somersault, and even pull nifty dance moves designed to give the best human hip-shakers a run for their money.
Its rare for Boston Dynamics to open its doors to anyone other than employees, but after “years” of asking, CBS’s 60 Minutes team was recently granted special access to the company’s Massachusetts workshop.
A video on the 60 Minutes website features Anderson Cooper touring the workshop and meeting some of the personnel, including Marc Raibert, the founder and chairman of Boston Dynamics. ... '
Seems the outgrowth of the 'Spot' dog, design from Boston Dynamics, which I have been following. Here called DigiDog. Not sure what this sure what this has to do with 'privacy', but clearly does have to do with the safety of everyone involved. The DigiDog, as far as I know is unarmed.
Digidog, a Robotic Dog Used by the Police, Stirs Privacy Concerns By The New York Times, March 1, 2021
The Digidog robot.
The New York Police Department is using a 70-pound robotic dog with cameras and lights affixed to its frame and a two-way communication system to remotely assess dangerous situations.
Two men were being held hostage in a Bronx apartment. They had been threatened at gunpoint, tied up and tortured for hours by two other men who pretended to be plumbers to get inside, the police said.
One of the victims managed to escape and called the police, who showed up early Tuesday morning at the apartment on East 227th Street, unsure if the armed men were still inside.
The police decided it was time to deploy Digidog, a 70-pound robotic dog with a loping gait, cameras and lights affixed to its frame, and a two-way communication system that allows the officer maneuvering it remotely to see and hear what is happening.
The police said the robot can see in the dark and assess how safe it is for officers to enter an apartment or building where there may be a threat.
From The New York Times
See that the NY City Police department has again utilized one of the Boston Dynamics 'Spot' dogs. Apparently for a situation with potential human danger involved. . The impressive look of 'dog-like' droids is coming to life. Is this the future of policing? Some of the inhabitants seem unsure.
The NYPD deploys a robot dog again
Boston Dynamics’ little robot makes another appearance in New York City By Bijan Stephen in TheVerge
The cyberpunk dystopia is here! (If you weren’t aware: I’m sorry. You’re living in a cyberpunk dystopia.) The latest sign — aside from corporations controlling many aspects of everyday life, massive widespread wealth inequality, and the recent prominence of bisexual lighting — comes in the form of robot dogs deployed to do jobs human police used to. Yesterday, as the New York Post reports, the NYPD deployed Boston Dynamics’ robot “dog” Spot to a home invasion crime scene in the Bronx. ... "
400 sold and apparently a better way to control it from a distance. Continuing to follow the possibilities involved. No further autonomy claimed of what I understand is tele-operation.
Boston Dynamics' robot dog Spot gets long distance remote control By Zoe Kleinman BBC
The Boston Dynamics robot Spot can now be fully remote-controlled from anywhere in the world, using a web browser-based platform called Scout. Previously, Spot was controlled via a bespoke tablet, which meant the operator had to be nearby, said the firm's vice president Michael Perry.
Boston Dynamics said it had sold 400 Spot robots in the last year. They are being used in construction, deep underground mines, nuclear power plants and offshore oil rigs. Despite relatively limited sales to date, the company's new owner believes there is huge potential for the business.
Two months ago, Hyundai bought an 80% controlling share of Boston Dynamics from Softbank, in a deal which valued the robotics firm at $1.1bn (£810m). Google's parent Alphabet had sold the enterprise to Softbank in 2017 for the much lower reported sum of about $100m. ... "
A video of Spot "sitting" itself down onto a charging dock, using a skipping rope, opening doors, moving objects and climbing stairs was released to mark the latest development. ... "
When I saw the Boston Dynamics robots dancing, it came to mind quickly ow it had been done. Here Evan does a good job of describing the process.
How Boston Dynamics Taught Its Robots to Dance
Aaron Saunders, Boston Dynamics’ VP of Engineering, tells us where Atlas got its moves from By Evan Ackerman
A week ago, Boston Dynamics posted a video of Atlas, Spot, and Handle dancing to “Do You Love Me.” It was, according to the video description, a way “to celebrate the start of what we hope will be a happier year.” As of today the video has been viewed nearly 24 million times, and the popularity is no surprise, considering the compelling mix of technical prowess and creativity on display.
Strictly speaking, the stuff going on in the video isn’t groundbreaking, in the sense that we’re not seeing any of the robots demonstrate fundamentally new capabilities, but that shouldn’t take away from how impressive it is—you’re seeing state-of-the-art in humanoid robotics, quadrupedal robotics, and whatever-the-heck-Handle-is robotics. ... "
From Boston Dynamics, now part of Hyundai. At the link they outline each of the dancers backgrounds. Less scary than some views. Or is it?
More on this, implications? From what I have seen the largely remotely operated tele-robotic systems have particular value in remote security and remote data and information gathering and analysis. Adding a particularly impactful remote presence. Much more in the article below:
Hyundai Buys Boston Dynamics for Nearly $1 Billion. Now What? in IEEE Spectrum By Evan Ackerman
Boston Dynamics contemplates its future as it gets swallowed (again) by a giant corporation
Boston Dynamics, once owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet, and then by Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, now belongs to South Korean carmaker Hyundai. .... '
Interesting development. In TechExplore. Had not recalled their connection with Google.
SoftBank sells controlling stake in Boston Dynamics to Hyundai
Japan's SoftBank Group will sell an 80 percent stake in robotics firm Boston Dynamics to Hyundai, the trio said Friday, in a deal that values the US company at $1.1 billion.
Boston Dynamics has drawn huge attention with viral videos of its humanoid and dog-like robots, whose uncanny movements and impressive tricks have helped stoke fears that androids could one day become a threat to humans.
The engineering firm was founded in 1992 and bought in 2013 by Google, which sold the company on to SoftBank three years ago.
The Japanese conglomerate will keep a 20 percent stake through one of its affiliates and will work with South Korea's Hyundai to "propel development and commercialisation of advanced robots", the companies said. ... "
Boston Dynamics is doing quite well with its mostly telepresence Spot Robotics. Here another example, with apparent connection to specialized sensors.
Boston Dynamics' Spot Is Helping Chernobyl Move Towards Safe Decommissioning
Legged robots are uniquely qualified for sensing around what's left of Chernobyl's Reactor By Evan Ackerman in IEEE Spectrum
In terms of places where you absolutely want a robot to go instead of you, what remains of the utterly destroyed Chernobyl Reactor 4 should be very near the top of your list. The reactor, which suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 1986, has been covered up in almost every way possible in an effort to keep its nuclear core contained. But eventually, that nuclear material is going to have to be dealt with somehow, and in order to do that, it’s important to understand which bits of it are just really bad, and which bits are the actual worst. And this is where Spot is stepping in to help. ...
Been following various uses ot the 'Spot' robot. And how it makes its telepresence felt by its new subjects. Here new and different application, working with the construction of a building, apparently during the design and construction phase.
Meet Apple’s telepresence robot
In APPLE HOLIC By Jonny Evans, Computerworld
A Boston Dynamics robot called Spot is helping Apple and its architects design a new HQ at an iconic location.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced every industry to improvise and innovate to build agility and resilience to get through the crisis. Now, a key Apple partner is using telepresence robots as it leads construction of a Apple’s new headquarters in London. ....
Apple’s billion-dollar Californian headquarters is somewhat under-used at the moment, but the company continues to invest in new centers worldwide as it continues to experience global growth. Apple in the UK has taken over a large part of the globally recognized Battersea Power Station for its new UK headquarters. ... "
Another inevitable move, for surveillance and implied force available. As I have mentioned for other security examples of use, the robot-dogs look scary.
US Air Force deploys robot security dogs to guard base but doesn't go full Terminator In TheRegister
Iain Thomson in San Francisco
In Brief Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida is now guarded by robotic canines that will patrol the area before popping back to their kennels for a recharge.
Over the past year the 325th Security Forces Squadron have been trialing the security robots via a so-called "3D Virtual Ops Center," where the hardware hounds patrol the grounds and feed back data to central command.
"These robot dogs will be used as a force multiplier for enhanced situational awareness by patrolling areas that aren’t desirable for human beings and vehicles," said Major Jordan Criss, 325th Security Forces Squadron commander.
"We will be able to drive them in a virtual reality headset within our Base Defense Operations Center. We will be able to see exactly what the robot dog is detecting through its mobile camera and sensor platform if desired, we will also be able to issue verbal commands to a person or people through a radio attached to the dogs."
No offensive capability has been built into these puppies, however, they're strictly monitoring only. .... "
The notion of the 'uncanny valley', further and more widely examined. Typically the idea has been applied to android robotics, that is robots or even visualizations that look much like humans, but are not. That gives many people an uneasiness in interaction. It can be expanded today to animals. For example the robot dogs by Boston Dynamics, while obviously not dogs, give some people a 'feeling of' large, potentially dangerous dogs. A positive if you want them for guarding or patrolling.
In general we don't feel quite the same way with large humanoid robots, who could have the same capabilities, but are not wrapped in the same animal skin we have a fear reaction to. In general too 'AI' as a concept does not generate this fear reaction. Our own experimentation with characters like Mr Clean, showed you could add smiles and positive interaction to cancel the uncanny reaction.
Further in TechExplore: Why robots and artificial intelligence creep us out by Amanda Bowman, Texas Tech University ... '
Sounds obvious, but what are the form and function and challenges of such a brain? To be more human, more creative, more engaging? Made me think.
How Giving Robots a Hybrid, Human-Like ‘Brain’ Can Make Them Smarter By Edd Gent in SingularityHub
Squeezing a lot of computing power into robots without using up too much space or energy is a constant battle for their designers. But a new approach that mimics the structure of the human brain could provide a workaround.
The capabilities of most of today’s mobile robots are fairly rudimentary, but giving them the smarts to do their jobs is still a serious challenge. Controlling a body in a dynamic environment takes a surprising amount of processing power, which requires both real estate for chips and considerable amounts of energy to power them.
As robots get more complex and capable, those demands are only going to increase. Today’s most powerful AI systems run in massive data centers across far more chips than can realistically fit inside a machine on the move. And the slow death of Moore’s Law suggests we can’t rely on conventional processors getting significantly more efficient or compact anytime soon.
That prompted a team from the University of Southern California to resurrect an idea from more than 40 years ago: mimicking the human brain’s division of labor between two complimentary structures. While the cerebrum is responsible for higher cognitive functions like vision, hearing, and thinking, the cerebellum integrates sensory data and governs movement, balance, and posture.
When the idea was first proposed the technology didn’t exist to make it a reality, but in a paper recently published in Science Robotics, the researchers describe a hybrid system that combines analog circuits that control motion and digital circuits that govern perception and decision-making in an inverted pendulum robot.
“Through this cooperation of the cerebrum and the cerebellum, the robot can conduct multiple tasks simultaneously with a much shorter latency and lower power consumption,” write the researchers.
The type of robot the researchers were experimenting with looks essentially like a pole balancing on a pair of wheels. They have a broad range of applications, from hoverboards to warehouse logistics—Boston Dynamics’ recently-unveiled Handle robot operates on the same principles. Keeping them stable is notoriously tough, but the new approach managed to significantly improve all digital control approaches by radically improving the speed and efficiency of computations. ... "
