Amid the jugglers, singers, and contortionists on America’s Got Talent, a pack of robotic dogs from Boston Dynamics trotted onto the stage, delivering a performance that left jaws on the floor. These weren’t your average auditionees. They were Spot robots, the four-legged marvels of engineering, choreographed to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”.
Boston Dynamics has long been known for their viral internet videos, with its Spot robots climbing stairs, opening doors, and even moonwalking to Bruno Mars. But this was different. The AGT stage, bathed in golden lights and pulsing with anticipation, became a proving ground for these mechanical canines. As the iconic guitar riffs of Queen kicked in, a troupe of Spots pranced out, their yellow frames gleaming under the spotlights.
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A hiccup added drama to the spectacle. Midway through, one Spot faltered, its legs buckling as it collapsed in a heap of metal and servos. The remaining robots didn’t miss a beat, continuing their routine with unwavering precision. Boston Dynamics had programmed these machines to adapt, to keep the show going even when one of their own hit the deck.
Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B were visibly stunned. Mandel, ever the enthusiast, marveled at the novelty, declaring, “After 20 years, how can we see something we haven’t seen on this stage?” Cowell, typically the skeptic, couldn’t hide his grin, nodding as the others showered praise. All four gave a unanimous “yes,” propelling Boston Dynamics to the next round. The company’s representative, speaking to host Terry Crews post-performance, leaned into the moment: “We really, really believe that this is the future.”
Each of Spot’s movements were scripted to sync with the music, their joints and actuators translating code into dance steps. The robots’ ability to “lip-sync” with their arms added another layer of theatrics. Yet, the real genius lay in their autonomy—each Spot navigated the stage independently, dodging obstacles and maintaining formation, even as one succumbed to the pressures of live performance.
Spot robots aren’t new to the spotlight. Priced at $75,000 a pop, they’ve been deployed globally for tasks like inspecting industrial sites, detecting leaks, and even patrolling for the NYPD (until public backlash paused that experiment). Over 1,500 are in use worldwide, their legged design allowing them to traverse terrain that wheels can’t handle.
