Boston Dynamics is a pioneering robotics company that has made significant advancements in the field of robotics over the past decade. Founded in 1992, the company initially created realistic 3D computer simulations for the Navy. However, they soon transitioned to creating physical robots. Their first robot, BigDog, was created in 2005 to carry heavy gear for soldiers in rough terrains.
BigDog was initially seen as awkward, but it was surprisingly proficient at maintaining its balance. It was continuously improved over the years, with multiple iterations including LittleDog, BigDog Olé, and the Christmas versions of BigDog. The latest generation, known as the Legged Squad Support System or LS3, was developed in 2012. However, the BigDog project was discontinued in 2015 due to its excessive noise, which was not suitable for combat use.
In 2009, Boston Dynamics started working on a human-like robot named PETMAN. PETMAN could walk, run, bend, reach, and crawl, and it also changed its skin temperature and sweat to mimic human behavior. Sand Flea, another robot developed for the U.S. Army, could jump over a two-story building and was designed for surveillance in inaccessible or dangerous areas.
Cheetah, developed by Boston Dynamics, was designed to be a fast-running robot. It reached speeds of up to 28.3 miles per hour, faster than Olympic champion Usain Bolt. Atlas, a humanoid robot based on PETMAN, was created in 2013 and has undergone significant changes since its debut. It can perform tasks like jumping, doing a backflip, and running outdoors.
Spot, introduced in 2015, is a smaller, more agile robot designed for both indoor and outdoor operations. It can autonomously collect data, capture and monitor sites, and carry up to 14 kilograms of equipment. Spot has already been used in various sectors, including hospitals, police departments, and construction sites.
In 2021, Boston Dynamics introduced two more commercially available robots, Pick and Stretch, for warehouse operations. Pick uses machine learning algorithms to depalletize quickly and accurately, while Stretch is a versatile mobile robot that can unload trucks and build pallets.
Boston Dynamics has changed ownership multiple times. It was acquired by Alphabet Inc in 2013, sold to Japan’s SoftBank Group in 2017, and acquired by Hyundai Motor Group in 2020. In 2021, Hyundai Motor Group bought the remaining 20% stake, making it the sole owner of Boston Dynamics.
1. Boston Dynamics is a pioneering robotics company that has been helping to lead in a technological revolution over the last decade.
2. The company was founded in 1992 and initially started by creating realistic 3D computer simulations for aircraft launch operations for the Navy.
3. Boston Dynamics has built some of the most impressive robots in the world, capable of running, jumping, and even dancing better than some humans.
4. The first robot Boston Dynamics created was the BigDog in 2005. It was designed to carry heavy gear for soldiers in terrains too rough for vehicles.
5. BigDog was able to carry 340 pounds and climb at a 35-degree incline. It was constantly tested by the military to ensure it could be used in combat.
6. In 2010, BigDog was improved and could run at 5 miles per hour and handle different terrains. However, it was discontinued in 2015 due to its loud noise.
7. Boston Dynamics has developed multiple iterations of BigDog, including LittleDog and BigDog Olé.
8. The latest generation of BigDog, known as the Legged Squad Support System or LS3, was developed in 2012. It could operate in hot, cold, wet, and dirty environments and run faster at 7 miles per hour.
9. In 2009, Boston Dynamics started working on a human-like robot named PETMAN. The robot could walk at 3.2 miles per hour and was developed for the U.S. Army to test chemical suits and additional protective gear used by troops.
10. Another robot developed for the U.S. Army is Sand Flea, which can jump over a two-story building. It was designed for surveillance on places that would otherwise be inaccessible or too dangerous for humans.
11. Cheetah, the first attempt to create a fast-running robot, can reach 28.3 miles per hour.
12. Wildcat, a four-legged robot developed in 2011, can run fast on all types of terrains and became the fastest quadruped robot on Earth, running at 20 miles per hour.
13. Atlas, a humanoid robot based on the PETMAN robot, was developed in 2013. It was initially made for the DARPA Robotics Challenge, a competition meant to accelerate robotics technology development to aid response efforts to natural and human-made disasters.
14. In 2017, Atlas was improved even further so that it could jump and do a backflip.
15. In 2021, the humanoid robot Atlas could finish a whole parkour.
16. Spot, the original Spot robot, became a turning point in Boston Dynamics’ robot evolution. It was designed for both indoor and outdoor operations and was faster, smaller, and more agile than the BigDog models that came before it.
17. Spot was the first robot the company released commercially in June 2020 for $74,500 dollars.
18. Spot has already been used in hospitals, police and fire departments, and construction sites.
19. Boston Dynamics has changed ownership multiple times. In 2013, the company was acquired by Alphabet Inc, which