Boston Dynamics shows robot that opens door with arm extension

The Boston Dynamics company has added a new video to its YouTube channel in which it shows one of its robots opening a door for another one using an arm extension.

The video shows a new version of the so-called SpotMini robot, which the company introduced in 2016. This variant can optionally be equipped with an arm weighing 5 kg, with which various tasks can be performed. For example, in the model’s introductory video, the robot used the arm to load a dishwasher.

According to the company, the ‘mini robot’ is suitable for tasks around the house with a weight of 25 kg. The battery life is approximately 90 minutes, depending on its tasks. The all-electric device is equipped with various sensors to sense its environment, such as depth cameras and an inertial measurement unit.

Boston Dynamics has developed several robots over time, for example the Handle one that combines legs with wheels. It also taught its Atlas robot to walk a tightrope. The company was acquired by Google in 2013, which it sold on to the Japanese Softbank in the summer of last year. This includes telecom services, technology and media.