Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot made its way to Pompeii, Italy earlier this year, and now, it can autonomously ride elevators and open doors. MARS Laboratory partnered with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and RMUS Canada to explore the capabilities of Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot for autonomous inspection as well as first response in the power sector.
In their first year of the project, the work of PhD student Christopher Baird included autonomous elevator riding and autonomous door opening (including proxy card access doors) as part of Autowalks, and even some autonomous firefighting. When Spot isn’t helping with building inspections, the robot can be found dancing to Rolling Stones’ Start Me Up.
- ALL-METAL BODY Frame: Machined metal frame and alloy panels from the chassis up, with metal gears driving the arm (tires are rubber). Heavier in the...
- MECANUM WHEELS THAT DRIVE SIDEWAYS: Four omni-directional mecanum wheels let it strafe left, crab-walk, spin in place and slide through tight gaps...
- 4-DOF ARM THAT REALLY GRIPS: Lift, lower, rotate and clamp with four axes of movement - blocks, cups, small tools and other objects up to about 3 lb...
Use the Software Development Kit (SDK) to create custom controls, program autonomous missions, and integrate sensor inputs into data analysis tools. Attach and integrate unique outside hardware using mounting rails and payload ports,” according to Boston Dynamics.
