A robot named SpotMini is bringing a whole new meaning to guard dog.
Developed by Boston Dynamics, a robotics firm, the robo-dog has already proven it can open a door and walk through it.
But in its latest challenge, a human tries to deter the robot from getting through the door. Don’t worry; SpotMini pushed on — in a sort of creepy way.
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The human begins by using a hockey stick to block the robotic dog from grabbing the door handle and also knocks the door handle out of SpotMini’s mouth. SpotMini calmly takes his fifth, arm (yep, it is a bit horrifying) to continue trying to open the door. Then, the rude human closes the door on the robo-pup. Finally, the human grabs SpotMini’s leash to pull him away from the door. Just like a real dog would drag his owner to the puppy park, SpotMini continues moving towards the door. Finally, the human relents and the robotic dog makes his way out the door.
The video is a bit strange (and sad!). You start to feel for the robo-dog, silently pleading with the human to just let him complete his mission.
The firm says this challenge was as “a test of SpotMini’s ability to adjust to disturbances as it opens and walks through a door” because “the ability to tolerate and respond to disturbances like these improves successful operation of the robot.”
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The hope is that the dog robot — a smaller version of the original one, called Spot — can be used to handle “objects, climbs stairs, and will operate in offices, homes and outdoors.”
