[Report] Walking, Crawling, Dodging... Robot Dog 'Spot' Appears at Hyundai Motorstudio

Demonstration of Robot Dog 'Spot' at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang on the 16th
"Ultra-compact Mobility Itself... Utilized in All Products and Services"

Boston Dynamics robot dog 'Spot' (Photo by Hyundai Motor Group)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] On the afternoon of the 16th, two dogs appeared at 'Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang' in Gyeonggi Province. These large dogs, about the height of an adult's knee, confidently strolled through the lobby filled with Hyundai Motor vehicles. They busily moved up and down the 1st and 2nd floors, and even when the door of the new Genesis G70 opened, almost causing a collision, they calmly twisted their bodies and continued on their way. As people’s attention focused on them, they seemed pleased, jumping in place or shaking their bodies from side to side, showing affection.

The name of this smart dog that appeared at Hyundai Motorstudio is 'Spot.' It is a quadruped robot created by Boston Dynamics, a U.S.-based robotics company. This event was organized by Hyundai Motor Group, which recently acquired Boston Dynamics, to showcase the technology of their flagship model, Spot. Since Spot is restricted from general purchase in Korea, only 4 to 5 units have been rented for research purposes. The robot used in the demonstration is a model currently utilized by Yonsei University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for high-precision map creation.

Spot can perform basic actions such as walking and climbing stairs, and it skillfully executes more advanced movements like standing up on its own or recognizing and avoiding obstacles. It demonstrated flexibility by crouching deeply and then stretching in all directions. Although the demonstration did not include scenes like those in the famous video where Spot maintains balance when pushed or dances dynamically, it showed no difficulty in recognizing obstacles and navigating complex terrain using a 360-degree camera and flexible joints. A Hyundai Motor Group official expressed confidence, saying, "Spot itself is a miniature mobility."

Boston Dynamics robot dog 'Spot' (Photo by Hyundai Motor Group)

Boston Dynamics robot dog 'Spot' (Photo by Hyundai Motor Group)

The core technology of the robotic dog Spot lies in its perception and control capabilities. It accurately detects obstacles in all directions through cameras and implements a detailed control algorithm to avoid them. Even when the controller’s forward button was continuously pressed, Spot was able to naturally detour to the right when the G70’s door opened, thanks to the precisely designed control algorithm. If it falls due to an unexpected impact, it can easily flip its body back up by considering leg length, weight, and center of gravity through an optimized algorithm.

Another strength is modularity. The potential uses of Spot are limitless depending on which modules are attached. Spot can carry modules weighing up to 15 kg, about half of its total weight. During the demonstration, it was equipped with Velodyne’s LiDAR and a 3D scanner tailored for indoor high-precision map research and development. If an arm-shaped module is attached instead of LiDAR, Spot can open closed doors and move between rooms, expanding its range of motion. In Japan and the U.S., it is also highly utilized for life-saving purposes by installing trunks containing emergency rescue supplies to deliver them to people trapped in tunnels.

Spot is the smallest commercialized model among Boston Dynamics’ robot lineup. It is more accessible to the general public but ranks lower in terms of technological sophistication. There are high-end robots such as 'Atlas,' capable of bipedal upright walking; 'Handle,' which has wheels and can autonomously transport objects; and 'Cheetah,' which can run at high speeds. A Hyundai Motor Group official revealed expectations for collaboration, stating, "In terms of perception and control capabilities, Atlas and Handle are far superior to Spot."

In fact, Hyundai Motor Group plans to utilize Boston Dynamics’ robotics technology, centered on perception and control capabilities, across all products and services within the group in the future. Kim Jun-myung, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Technology PR Team, emphasized, "Through Hyundai Motor Group’s production capacity, research and development capabilities, and global network, Boston Dynamics will be supported in mass-producing robots and improving profitability. We expect significant synergy effects not only in robotics but also in autonomous vehicles, urban air mobility (UAM), and smart factories through this acquisition."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.