Starting yesterday, my email has been flooded with messages from folks I know telling me about the latest “Dancing Robot” video posted by the folks at Boston Dynamics.
For example, the message from my chum, Rick Curl, said “Stop whatever you are doing and watch this video right now!!!” (This is the first time I’ve known Rick to resort to multiple exclamation marks to attract my attention.)
I’m sure we’ve all seen the robot acrobatics video by now, but this new offering — which is set to the music of Do You Love Me as depicted here in Motown the Musical — takes things to a whole new level.
We start with just one humanoid robot dancing. Already, it has better moves than your humble narrator. Then we move to two humanoid robots, who are soon joined by a robotic dog. A little later, this amazing trio is joined by a… actually, I’m not sure what this is… it’s a bit like an 8-foot-tall version of one of those happy dippy drinking bird toys (but much more impressive).
At this point, it’s best to just sit back and watch with your mouth hanging open in awe. All I can say is that it’s a sad day when you get to watch a video of a dancing humanoid robot that has better moves than you, especially if your dear old dad used to be a professional dancer (see The Times They Are a-Changin’ (Part 3)).
Stop the press! My chum Jay Dowling just sent me a link to this video showing how Boston Dynamics trained Spot the robot dog to dance in the previous video. I want my own Spot!
Both of these videos are worth watching multiple times right up to the very last step, after which it would be great if you could post a comment telling me what you think.
Some robots got way too much time on their hands. (The designers even more so!)
The balancing is impressive, especially as the biped ones look top-heavy.
I guess this is a precursor to robot policemen, waiters, etc.
So long as it’s not a precursor to dancing robot engineers LOL
Look out Max. Max Mechatronix is after your job!!
Pass me my aluminum beanie!
But wouldn’t you LOVE to work on this sort of thing? I’d be happy to sweep the floors (for an outrageously impressive wage, of course)
I think sweeping the floors would be a doddle for these guys.
So you’ve lost out again Max…. 🙁
It’s not my lucky day (said Max, sadly)
I think Jerry Anderson of Thunderbirds fame would be putting in a bid for these right now to remake the Thunderbirds.
Any idea what one of the bipedal units weighs? might be painful if one landed on your toe during a dance.
Hi Crusty — I don’t know what they weigh (probably less than me after the Christmas eating LOL)
It makes me wonder how many of the robots’ safety algorithms were actually turned OFF in order to accomplish those dance moves. I’m especially intrigued at the way they are able to intentionally slip one of their feet without losing balance.
Now I want to see one of them duplicate Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, including the moonwalk.
I’m just amazed how fast and fluid they are — it’s come to something when a robot has better dance moves than a human.
Whenever I see the clever-clever stuff from Boston Dynamics – and it is VERY clever – I can’t help thinking of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvqDaFpXeM
Scary!!!