Famous 4-Legged Robot ‘Spot’ Just Got a New Job on England’s Roadways
At this point you have probably seen a version of this robot before, it’s called “Spot” and it’s one of Boston Dynamics’ flagship automatons. Now it’s being deployed on a motorway in the UK, all to solve their traffic problem, but how?
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00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 At this point, you've probably seen a version of this robot
00:05 before.
00:06 It's called Spot, and it's one of Boston Dynamics' flagship
00:09 automatons.
00:10 Now, it's being deployed on a motorway in the UK,
00:13 all to solve their traffic problem.
00:14 But how?
00:15 Spot is collecting data on areas that are under or in need
00:18 of road repairs.
00:19 That means it's getting into areas
00:21 which are hard for humans to reach,
00:22 areas like steep slopes, those that
00:24 are hidden by trees and brush, and in areas under bridges.
00:27 Experts say this is not only more cost-effective
00:29 than sending in humans, but the robot
00:31 could even prevent injuries in more dangerous areas.
00:34 Bam Ritchie's business development manager,
00:36 Matt Ewing, the company helping out the UK's National Highways
00:38 team with the project, calls it a successful proof of concept,
00:42 adding about the program, quote, "Technology
00:44 can keep our people safe and repeatedly capture
00:46 high-quality data.
00:48 And having Spot undertake these trials
00:50 demonstrates capability and evidence for further trials
00:53 while making efficiencies in the delivery of work today."
00:56 They say they're still sussing out
00:57 the full potential of the robot, saying
00:59 it could help complement other civil engineering and inspection
01:02 jobs, meaning this could be just the beginning of Spot's
01:05 illustrious future in road work.
01:08 (gentle music)
01:11 (gentle music)