2023-06-24 13:09:02
Gun-armed dog scares the internet
With a weight of only 12 kilos and a top speed of 17 km/h, Go1 is one of the lightest and fastest robot dogs on the market.
The dog can carry 5 kilos of gear and patrol, mine minerals in hard-to-reach places and much more.
Go1 is on sale for ‘only’ 2700 dollars. Unitree Robotics, which produces Go1, says it wants to sell the dog as cheaply as possible so that private individuals can afford one too – not just companies or states, which are still the main buyers of large robots such as robot dogs.
But Go1 is infamous: In an amateur video that went viral, he fired an automatic firearm.
How dangerous is he?
Skillful inspector checks gas installations
The Swiss company ANYbotics is behind the quadruped ANYmal. This sturdy robot can maneuver in all kinds of terrain, climb steep stairs, cross obstacles and crevices and squeeze through narrow cracks.
The robot has a laser scanner and a thermal camera and can be adapted for a variety of tasks, such as inspection and maintenance. It is specially designed for the oil and gas industry.
With his gas detector he can ‘sniff’ for possible leaks.
ANYmal moves sideways, forwards and backwards so he never has to turn around.
ANYmal is made in such a way that it does not damage the oil and gas installations it has to work with. He is only able to walk – quite slowly, up to 4.7 km/h – to inspect the installations.
Verdict: Relatively harmless.
Headless warehouse worker
Agility Robotics from Oregon, USA, has designed the biped Digit, which – apart from the missing head – looks and moves like a human.
The hull is full of sensors that allow the robot to avoid obstacles or people, and the warehouse worker or packer can carry 18 kilos at a time.
The robot is 1.58 meters tall and weighs 45 kilos, using its arms to keep its balance and to get up if it falls. He can also open doors and lift things with his arms.
Digit can move forward, backward, sideways and walk on uneven terrain. The robot can reach 5.4 km/h, so just as much as a human during a brisk walk.
How dangerous is he?
Digit’s power and speed are limited, but it can be used by hackers to deliver a bomb, for example. Assessment: Relatively harmless.
Driving assistant can handle radiation
The Canadian company Clearpath Robotics has developed the approximately 1 meter long and 50 kilograms heavy Husky, which can reach 3.6 km/h.
Its four all-terrain tires allow it to plow through mud, streams and deep snow.
Husky can weigh 75 kilos and is available with a wide range of equipment, such as a 360-degree camera, robotic arms and a 3D laser camera to measure distances.
Husky can map areas, clear bombs and handle radioactive material, among other things.
Researchers at the University of Toronto are using the robot as a rover in preparation for exploring other planets.
How dangerous is he?
Husky’s ability to handle radioactive material can be used by hackers to spread fear among their enemies, but his slow speed and short stature limit the danger. Assessment: Very dangerous.
Agile dog goes viral
The American company Boston Dynamics developed the all-terrain dog Spot, which climbs stairs, overcomes obstacles and navigates uneven terrain.
Spot’s promotional videos are usually well shared – in 2017, a video of the dog opening a door was briefly number 1 on YouTube.
Spot’s ability to work in inaccessible locations allows him to clear bombs and provide relief after natural disasters. He can also patrol, map areas and play watchdog.
Spot can orient himself 360 degrees with cameras, while built-in sensors ensure he doesn’t bump into anyone or anything.
Spot can reach almost 6 km/h with a load of up to 14 kilos, and it can be equipped with an arm that can rotate and grab things.
How dangerous is he?
Like Go1, Spot can be equipped with firearms – which the company behind Boston Dynamics strongly warns against. Assessment: Dangerous.
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