- Boston Dynamics posted the video on YouTube on International Dance Day
- Skeptics Claim Bright Blue Costume ‘Adds Nightmare Fuel’
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a clip from the latest children’s cartoon.
But the footage is very real and features a real-life robot.
Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot, can be seen wearing a sparkly blue dog costume while performing an impressive dance routine.
‘Spot meets another strange dog and makes friends through the power of dance. ‘He Meets Sparkles!’ Boston Dynamics said.
The video has received a mixed reception on social media, with one skeptic commenting that rather than being cute, the costume “adds nightmare fuel.”
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a clip from the latest children’s cartoon. But the footage is very real and features a real-life robot.
Boston Dynamics posted the video to its YouTube channel to celebrate International Dance Day earlier this week.
It features two of the tech giant’s robot dogs, Spots, meeting each other, before sharing a kiss and starting to dance.
While the black and yellow robot on the right is instantly recognizable as Spot, the robot on the left is dressed in a bright, blue dog costume.
“Sparkles is a custom costume designed exclusively for Spot to explore the intersections of robotics, art and entertainment,” Boston Dynamics explained in the caption.
Several fans have flocked to the comments to express their delight at the new video.
‘Boston Dynamics is just flexing at this point and I’m here for it!’ wrote one user.
Boston Dynamics posted the video to its YouTube channel to celebrate International Dance Day earlier this week. It features two of the tech giant’s robot dogs, Spots, meeting each other.
The couple shares a kiss before starting to dance. While the black and yellow robot on the right is instantly recognizable as Spot, the robot on the left is dressed in a bright, blue dog costume.
Another added: ‘Seriously, Spot’s mobility is REALLY impressive! The Sparkles coat looks like a blue Sprocket (Fraggle Rock).’
And one posted: ‘Imagine this being implemented in theme parks like Disney, seeing Pluto walking on all fours instead of just two and looking like a real dog.
‘It would be a little strange, yes, but also very cool and immersive!’
However, it seems that others were less enamored.
“Everyone wants to pet the dog until its neck extends 4 feet,” one user joked.
Another added: ‘As if it wasn’t scary enough to imagine a post-apocalyptic world where a robot dog, equipped with a chainsaw, chases you while you curl up for warmth under the floorboards of your hut.
‘Now, instead of cold plastic and steel, they greet you with a flashing face brandishing the same chainsaw. My God.’
And one wrote: ‘Uncanny Valley… But dogs!’
The new video comes shortly after Boston Dynamics introduced its new Atlas 2.0 robot, after retiring its legendary predecessor, Atlas.
This new version features joints that allow the machine to bend and move in ways the human body cannot, unlike the original rigid Atlas, famous for dancing and parkour.
The company also plans to sell the latest humanoid robot, but the price has not yet been revealed and it is scheduled to begin its first work in Hyundai factories next year.
