SpotMini
(Via Boston Dynamics / YouTube)

The latest robot dog-like thing from Boston Dynamics — that we would totally want but be totally afraid of — is called SpotMini and in the the last day or so you’ve probably seen a GIF of it slipping on a banana peel. But this thing is hardly clumsy.

A new 2-and-a-half-minute video on YouTube has been viewed 1.6 million times since Thursday, and in it we learn that SpotMini can crouch-walk under bigger robots and tables, run up stairs, put a glass in the dishwasher, drop a can in recycling, and deliver a soda to a guy sitting on a couch.

The YouTube description says SpotMini weighs in a 55 pounds dripping wet, or 65 pounds with the arm/head attachment that makes it look like a dinosaur of some sort. It’s the smaller version of the much-publicized original Spot.

Boston Dynamics also says SpotMini is all-electric (no hydraulics) and runs for about 90 minutes on a charge, depending on what it is doing. “The robot has a variety of sensors, including depth cameras, a solid state gyro (IMU) and proprioception sensors in the limbs. These sensors help with navigation and mobile manipulation. SpotMini performs some tasks autonomously, but often uses a human for high-level guidance.”

We hope the human who left those banana peels on the floor has eyes in the back of his human head.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.