- Boston Dynamics posted the video on YouTube on International Dance Day
- Skeptics claim the blue, sparkly costume ‘adds fuel to nightmares’
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a clip from the latest children’s cartoon.
But the images are very real and feature a real robot.
Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot, is seen in a blue, sparkly dog costume as he performs an impressive dance routine.
‘Spot is meeting another strange dog and making friends through the power of dance. Meet Sparkles!’ said Boston Dynamics.
The video received a mixed reception on social media, with one skeptic noting 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 images are very real and feature a real robot
Boston Dynamics posted the video to its YouTube channel earlier this week in honor of International Dance Day.
It shows 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 bot on the left is decked out in a blue, sparkly dog costume.
“Sparkles is a custom costume designed specifically 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 joy over the new video.
“Boston Dynamics is just flexing right now and I’m all for it!” wrote one user.
Boston Dynamics posted the video to its YouTube channel earlier this week in honor of International Dance Day. It shows two of the tech giant’s robot dogs, Spots, meeting each other
The pair share a kiss before they start dancing. While the black and yellow robot on the right is instantly recognizable as Spot, the bot on the left is decked out in a blue, sparkly dog costume
Another added: ‘Really, Spot’s mobility is REALLY impressive! The Sparkles jacket resembles a blue Sprocket (Fraggle Rock).”
And one person wrote: ‘Imagine this being implemented at theme parks like Disney, where you see Pluto walking on all fours instead of two alone and looking like a real dog.
“It would be a little freaky, yes, but also so damn cool and compelling!”
However, it seems others were less enamored.
“Everyone wants to pet the dog until its neck sticks out four feet,” one user joked.
Another added: ‘As if it weren’t terrifying enough to imagine a post-apocalyptic world where a robot dog, equipped with a chainsaw, hunts you down as you huddle for warmth under the floorboards of your cabin.
‘Instead of cold plastic and steel, you are now greeted with a glittering face as you brandish the same chainsaw. My God.’
And someone wrote: ‘Uncanny valley… But dogs!’
The new video comes shortly after Boston Dynamics debuted its new Atlas 2.0 robot, following the retirement of 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 that was famous for its dancing and parkour.
The company also plans to sell its latest humanoid robot, but the price has not yet been announced and the robot will start working at Hyundai’s factories next year.