Hyundai takes 80 per cent stake in terrifying Black Mirror robo-hound firm Boston Dynamics
- Reference: 1624337827
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/06/22/hyundai_acquires_80_percent_boston_dynamics_stake/
- Source link:
The deal has been in the works since [1]December 2020 when the board of directors at three Hyundai affiliates approved the purchase that would give them a combined 80 per cent of the robot maker. A SoftBank affiliate will keep the remaining 20 per cent.
Boston Dynamics was founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology boffins in 1992. It’s since been owned by Google and Softbank.
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The company’s agile creations are known for doing [3]impressive gymnastics tricks and its manoeuvrable dog-like robot called [4]Spot featured in a [5]creepy Black Mirror episode .
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Spot went on sale in June of 2020 and, in addition to enlivening dystopian television dramas, has been deployed by across the utilities sector, construction, manufacturing, and the resources industry. Boston Dynamics’ latest robot, [8]Stretch , assists in warehouse facilities and distribution centres.
[9]India’s IT lobby lashes forecast of automation-induced jobs bloodbath
[10]In this round of 'Real life or Black Mirror episode', drones that hunt down humans by listening to their screams
[11]Sony 'Workman', anyone? Consumer giant teams with Kawasaki on teleoperated ‘bots
[12]Singapore releases the robot hounds to enforce social distancing in parks
However, the company’s products have sometimes proven controversial — as in April 2021 when the New York Police Department faced criticism for deploying a Boston Dynamics robot canine called [13]Digidog , on grounds that it was scary and a privacy invasion. New York’s finest quickly terminated its US$94,000 contract with Boston Dynamics as a result.
Hyundai wants to use Boston Dynamics’ tech in less-confronting roles as part of its plan to become a “Smart Mobility Solutions Provider”.
The auto-maker’s [14]canned statement read:
In the field of robotics, the Group aims to develop advanced technologies that enhance people’s lives and promote safety, thereby realizing the progress for humanity.
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun said back in October 2019 that the group aims to have 20 per cent of its business in robotics — a goal this acquisition will bolster. Half of Hyundai’s business will remain focused on vehicle manufacturing, with the remaining 30 per cent aimed at “urban air mobility”.
A promotional video (see below) announcing the acquisition showcases Boston Dynamics’ technology serving as medical mobility devices, guide dogs for the visually impaired, medical assistants and dance partners — all applications likely to be better received publicly than Spot’s appearance in Black Mirror or on the mean streets of New York City. ®
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[16]Youtube Video
Get our [17]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/10/boston_dynamics_hyundai/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YNG0v0YBXZHqmVbBaGz@pwAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRj34o4hN4I
[4] https://www.bostondynamics.com/spot
[5] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5710984/
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YNG0v0YBXZHqmVbBaGz@pwAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YNG0v0YBXZHqmVbBaGz@pwAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://www.bostondynamics.com/stretch
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/21/nasscom_refutes_boa_automation_report/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/09/crows_nest_array_drone/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/24/sony_kawasaki_robotics_jv/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2020/05/10/singapore_robot_dog_social_distancing_patrols/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/30/nypd_robot_dog/
[14] https://news.hyundaimotorgroup.com/MediaCenter/News/Press-Releases/Hyundai-Motor-Group-Completes-Acquisition-of-Boston-Dynamics-from-SoftBank
[15] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/aiml&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YNG0v0YBXZHqmVbBaGz@pwAAAAA&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[16] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_NEy0iDck
[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
ED 209 Demo?
Watch this scene from Robocop, then get back to me!
While I think a robotic guide dog makes some sense, if they can develop the range and the right software, I am not too sure that Hyundai and the ad guys who made the video, really get how a guide dog works.
The blind guy stands up and the 'dog' jumps up and trots off in front of him, leaving the guy to continue with his stick.
In spite of that Boston are likely to do a lot better with Hyundai's direction than being just another one on the list of Softbank tech acquisitions. I know nothing about their cars but their industrial kit is not bad.
Guide dog - right idea wrong use-case
While a robotic guide dog might be possible at some point in the (near) future a much more achievable objective is to produce a 'dementia dog'.
Something the size of a small dog, made to look cute, with a lead that can be fastened to a dementia patient's wrist. The patient can then 'take the dog for a walk', and it doesn't matter if they get lost or forget to come home because the dog can gently and discreetly steer them away from busy streets and lead them back, either on a recall signal or after a set period of time - an hour's exercise say.
There's 2 of these at Starbase
SpaceX has 2 of these wandering around at Boca Chica Starbase.
Security and gas alert in one.
NasaSpaceFlight have footage of them 'showing off' for a couple of school buses; sitting, wagging their behinds, etc.....
Stretch, assists in warehouse facilities and distribution centres.
I can see an amazon warehouse and the dog barking orders and snapping at those lazy humans that move slower than a trot. Bleak employment prospects for supervisors, even bleaker for managers...
Re: Stretch, assists in warehouse facilities and distribution centres.
Robo-dog deleted my homework!
Random
Step one, replace soldiers with robots
Step two, make sure all countries replace soldiers with robots
Step three, create designated war arenas in unpopulated areas
Step four, realise that this can be all done in software
Step five, ban real life wars and only allow conflicts to be resolved online
Step six, realise that all this tech can be replaced by weighted random number generator that tells who won the conflict
Step seven, create a marketplace for weights.
As creepy as this thing is...
Hyundai buying it makes sense. They are already a big robotics player, including designing items such as exoskeletons as well as your run of the mill industrial beasts.