Tech
Robodog fights off owner, escapes laboratory
A robotic dog used its brute strength to overcome a human’s attempts to stop him escaping from a laboratory room.
The bizarre – and slightly terrifying moment which was captured in a video clip features robotics company Boston Dynamics’ SpotMini robot, which has four legs, a long trunk and a peculiar extendable claw for a head.
Using this claw, the SpotMini is able to turn door handles to free itself – despite an intervening worker’s best efforts to stop it.
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At one point the employee hits the computer-controlled canine with a hockey, an example of the controller “adjusting behaviour when progress gets off track”, according to Boston Dynamics.
“This testing does not irritate or harm the robot,” they added.
After a struggle, the worker makes a last ditch attempt to drag the wayward robot by his lead. But the SpotMini’s strength is too much for him and it trots out with ease.
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