PC Magazine - USA (2020-12)

(Antfer) #1

B


oston Dynamics’ four-legged canine-inspired Spot is by no means an old
dog, but that doesn’t mean it can’t learn new tricks. The 55-pound robot,
unveiled in 2016, has boarded BP’s Mad Dog oil rig in the Gulf of
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Earlier this year, BP announced its objective to reach net-zero emissions by
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achieve that goal is to deploy robots, which can navigate hazardous situations in
ways humans can’t (or shouldn’t).

Boston Dynamics’ Spot

Robodog Finds Work on a

BP Oil Rig BY STEPHANIE MLOT

ROBOTICS

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