Re:Boston Dynamics will start selling its dog-like SpotMini ...
by ryanmarsh on Monday May 14, 2018 @01:59PM
(#17067795)
Yah first time I saw the prototype I thought, “that’s a good way to lose the initiative on a patrol”. Perhaps a battery powered version with quiet servos will approach. It will also need to understand hand and arm signals to go on patrol.
The idea is incredible. You could greatly extend the range, duration, and lethality of the average patrol (9 men) by taking a few hundred pounds off their backs (or just adding that much in water and ammo to the robot).
(Specifically, it was intended to be a marines platform---I guess the main infantry doesn't need it because they already have trucks?---but it didn't meet the goals for power constraint or noise constraint).