US robotics company Boston Dynamics has announced an extension of its partnership with Californian software house Trimble to add data collection technologies to Spot, Boston’s canine construction helper.
If all goes to plan, the robot will go on sale in the second quarter of next year in the US, Canada, the UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
Spot has already found employment on a number of test sites, such as the $1.2bn Harvey Milk Terminal 1 project at San Francisco International Airport.
According to Boston Dynamics, Spot’s autonomous mobility is complemented by Trimble’s data collection sensors and field control software. The "dog" can be automated to complete repetitive tasks, such as site scans, surveying and progress monitoring.
As part of the alliance, Trimble has an exclusive right to sell Spot to construction companies with its scanning and navigation technologies.
Martin Holmgren, the general manager of Trimble’s building field solutions department, said: "Robots will play a crucial role in automated construction workflows and can augment the human workforce by handling dirty, dull and dangerous tasks."
Michael Perry, Boston’s vice president of business development, added: "We believe the combination of Trimble’s experience and industry leadership in construction technologies and Boston Dynamics’ Spot can transform the way the industry operates."
Image: Spot (Boston Dynamics/Trimble)
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