Never work with children or (robotic) animals! Watch the moment Boston Dynamics’ robot dog falls down a flight of stairs and breaks at Jaguar Land Rover’s battery testing facility in Coventry
This is the moment a £60,000 robot dog takes a catastrophic fall down the stairs and breaks during a botched demonstration.
MailOnline captured the dramatic event on camera during a visit to Lyons Park, Jaguar Land Rover’s battery testing facility in Coventry.
Small parts fly across the floor and sparks fly as the industrial assistant robot – sold by US company Boston Dynamics – struggles to get back up.
Gonzalo Ejarque-Rinaldini, technical project manager at JLR, told MailOnline that replacement parts would have to be installed before the poor pup could walk again.
‘My confidence in Boston Dynamics remains as high as ever – these machines are top class,’ he told MailOnline.
Just as the RMS Titanic had traveled 2,000 miles before hitting that fatal iceberg, Rover had managed to perform several tasks admirably before its little incident occurred
Loose parts are scattered across the floor and sparks fly as the poor robot dog struggles to get back up
‘The observation system is quite advanced, I have every confidence in that.
‘Machines can fall and it is important that we have the ability to recover them.’
At Lyons Park, JLR scientists and engineers test prototype electric batteries at different pressures and temperatures before installing them in one of the test vehicles.
The dog ‘Spot’ (who JLR has renamed ‘Rover’, is that correct?) is tasked with patrolling the site and looking out for any issues that might indicate trouble. The dog can alert staff by sending an email.
For example, thanks to the thermal imaging camera, it can detect a machine part that is too hot, which could pose a fire hazard.
The system can also detect the smallest gas leaks that are invisible to humans thanks to the built-in sensors. The system can also detect parts of the installation that would otherwise be unsafe after an accident.
Just as the RMS Titanic traveled 2,000 miles before hitting the deadly iceberg, Rover had performed several tasks admirably during its media demonstration on Thursday before its minor incident.
He patrolled the hallways with authority, walking past employees, pushing open a door and walking through it, managing to rise from a prone position on the floor.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, the robot dog can map its environment, detect and avoid obstacles, open doors and (in most cases) successfully climb stairs.
Gonzalo Ejarque-Rinaldini, Technical Project Manager at JLR, demonstrates his ‘pet’ at the Lyons Park battery testing facility in Coventry
Finally, Rover climbed a small flight of stairs and carefully positioned himself for the return journey before taking the first step down.
Unfortunately, the steps JLR used for the demo had a gap in the middle, which had a critical effect on stability.
Rover put his left front paw on the opening, immediately slipped and fell.
Rover hit the hard floor hard, dislocating a limb. Small pieces flew everywhere, including a plastic cap and a miniature screw.
MailOnline even saw a small spark before it retreated somewhat.
The dog struggled to get back up and was eventually taken out so technicians could take a closer look at the damage.
It is unclear why Rover did not notice the gap, and if it did, why it did not register the gap as a hazard. MailOnline is awaiting comment from Boston Dynamics.
MailOnline meets Rover after dramatic accident JLR said it had to order replacement parts to get it running again after limb became detached
Rover was shut down so JLR technicians could better inspect the damage – and the event had to be shortened
Rover’s field of view is shared on a large screen as he successfully climbs the stairs (before falling back down later on the return journey)
MailOnline found this a truly regrettable accident, although it is a fair lesson about the current state of affairs with this kind of technology.
Although Rover successfully made it down the stairs nine times out of ten, it was a great shame that it failed at the big moment in the spotlight.
JLR issued an official comment: ‘We are still in training as part of our pilot, so it is unfortunate that Rover lost its balance during the demo.
“But as every dog has his day, we wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back with the pack in the coming weeks.”
Rover prepares to push open a door at the location, using his front claw where a real dog would have its head.
The battery has a typical usage time of 90 minutes before it needs to be recharged via the charging port, just like a dog needs a rest break in its bed.
JLR is one of many customers using Boston Dynamics’ dog, including the French military, Pompeii Archaeological Park and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Rover has now been in operation at JLR in Coventry for approximately six months, along with a second unit at another JLR site in Shannon, Ireland.
JLR plans to expand the company’s fleet to about 10 dogs that, like employees, can walk autonomously around the building.
Ejarque-Rinaldini told MailOnline: ‘When people see Rover, the first reaction is, “Oh, fantastic, I have to take a picture!”
“But after a while they get used to it and it becomes just like any other tool or equipment.”