Watch: Boston Dynamics made this dog-like robot break into a few dance moves

Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics, the popular American robotics company, has posted a new video showcasing dance moves of its dog-like Spot robot in a dog costume. The video shows some dance movements against a Spot robot without a suit and was created to commemorate International Dance Day, celebrated on April 29.

The description that accompanied the video, Boston Dynamics stated, "Sparkles is a custom costume designed just for Spot to explore the intersections of robotics, art, and entertainment."

This is particularly intriguing as the Spot robot’s moves are created using Boston Dynamic’s specially designed “Choreographer” software. Previously, Boston Dynamics had showcased dance moves of Spot to the music of popular Korean band BTS and English rock band The Rolling Stones.

When paired with Choreographer software, Spot's adaptability makes it possible to use the dog-shaped robot as a dancer for entertainment. It is also capable of speaking, so it can be used for a variety of entertainment tasks, said Boston Dynamics. “The Choreographer controller understands Spot’s physics and environment, prioritising balance first and then following the specified steps,” noted the company in a blog post.

This four-legged robot can be used for small and agile purposes and can even walk around your house, workplace, or yard like a normal dog. It can recognise and avoid obstacles, climb stairs, open doors, and map its surroundings. It was first created in 2016 and in 2020 was first available for commercial sale for a base price of $74,500.

Not too long ago, Spot made news when it was shot in the process of helping the Massachusetts State Police capture a suspect. The robot was partially disabled after the incident and was particularly praised for saving the lives of nearby citizens and real-life dogs.