Boston Dynamics
Overview
Boston Dynamics is an American engineering and robotics design company founded in 1992. The company is known for creating a series of dynamic highly mobile robots, including BigDog, Spot, Atlas, and Handle. Boston Dynamics is a pioneer in the field of robotics, pushing the boundaries of what machines are capable of.
History
Boston Dynamics was founded in 1992 by Marc Raibert, a former professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The company began as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where initial work on robots and running machines was done. The company's early focus was on developing algorithms and software for advanced robots and it worked closely with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on a variety of projects.
In 2013, Boston Dynamics was acquired by Google X, where it was managed by the Alphabet subsidiary. Under Google, the company didn't launch any new products and its projects were considered more research-oriented. In 2017, Alphabet sold the company to SoftBank Group, a Japanese multinational conglomerate. Under SoftBank's ownership, Boston Dynamics began to commercialize its robot designs, starting with the Spot robot in 2019.
Products
Boston Dynamics has developed a number of robots designed to replicate human and animal locomotion. These robots are known for their agility, balance, and ability to navigate difficult terrain, which sets them apart from other robots.
BigDog
One of the company's earliest robots, BigDog, was a quadruped robot designed for the U.S. military with funding from DARPA. BigDog was designed to carry heavy loads over rough terrain. The robot could walk, run, climb, and even maintain balance when kicked or when slipping on ice.
Spot
Spot is a smaller, more nimble version of BigDog. It is a four-legged robot that can navigate both indoor and outdoor environments. Spot is capable of climbing stairs and navigating rough terrain. It can also operate in temperatures ranging from -20 to 45 degrees Celsius. In 2019, Boston Dynamics announced that Spot was available for commercial sale.
Atlas
Atlas is a bipedal humanoid robot designed to perform a variety of search and rescue tasks. It can walk bipedally, leaving its upper limbs free to lift, carry, and manipulate the environment. Atlas is capable of running, jumping over obstacles, and performing backflips.
Handle
Handle is a robot that combines wheels and legs into a single system, giving it the ability to handle objects and navigate complex environments. It is designed for warehouse automation and can pick up and transport boxes weighing up to 15 kg.
Impact and Reception
Boston Dynamics' robots have been widely recognized for their advanced design and capabilities. They have been featured in numerous media outlets and have sparked discussions about the future of robotics. However, they have also raised concerns about the potential misuse of robotics technology, particularly in military applications.