Boston Dynamics updates robot dog Spot to detect leaks, check equipment health
Boston Dynamics has upgraded its robot dog Spot by enhancing its ability to detect and avoid obstacles while on a mission.
The robot can now be restricted from ascending or descending stairs by using the new Stair Mode Prohibited option.
Several new features in the four-legged robot have been added with the release of the latest operating system.
The company claims that users can make reachability and stance-selection queries for reaching to locations with the arm or pointing a body-mounted sensor.
Multiple docks in Spot’s autowalk
Boston Dynamics has partnered with Leica to offer an integrated laser-scanning solution with Spot. With an equipped Leica BLK ARC, Spot can now carry out autonomous laser scanning missions and create 3D point clouds. Laser scanning missions can also now be authored in Orbit.
Spot’s autowalk missions can now include multiple docking stations. This allows Spot to start and end the mission at any included dock, and to recharge at any included dock if its battery runs low during the mission. Multiple docks can be placed to extend Spot’s operating range at larger sites.
Experimental feature – Long Range Planner
The Long Range Planner is an experimental feature that allows Spot to navigate around large obstacles that were not present during Autowalk mission recording. When enabled, Spot may deviate up to 6 meters to either side of its recorded mission route when its path is blocked. This is compared to 1.5 meters for the default path planner and 0.25 meters when strict path following is enabled.
The Long Range Planner is available as a mission parameter for both the Spot App and Orbit.
Requests can specify pose or gaze targets for a wrist-mounted or body-mounted tool, with a variety of options for body, arm, and stance configuration. The service responds with a full robot configuration (and frame snapshot including body, feet, and tool) that satisfies the specifications of the request, or an indication that no solution was found.
Fully integrated sensor
New, fully integrated sensor options enhance Spot’s capabilities. Using a Spot-mounted Fluke SV600, operators can collect acoustic vibration data. By automating such predictive maintenance, the mobile robot can help facilities avoid unplanned downtime and reduce costly inefficiencies, according to The Robot Report.
This service is only available if an arm is attached to the robot, said Boston Dynamics.
With the new upgrades, the lost detector, which is responsible for determining when the robot is lost, is now configurable.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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Boston Dynamics updates robot dog Spot to detect leaks, check equipment health