Video: the robotic dog that can open doors
Boston Dynamics’ updated SpotMini is smarter than ever

US-based tech firm Boston Dynamics wowed the world when it debuted its SpotMini robot in 2016 - and now the dog-like bot is showing off its latest party trick.
In a newly released video, an updated version of the SpotMini can be seen approaching a door and extending its head-mounted gripping claw to open a door. It then holds the door open using its arm and legs for another robo-dog to walk through, before passing through itself.
The footage only offers a small preview of what the robot is capable of, says TechCrunch, and it is not known whether the machine is controlled autonomously or by a someone with a remote.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Previous videos of Boston Dynamics’s four-legged robots revealed 3D cameras being used for navigation, the website says, which hints at “the possibility of an advanced autonomous control system”.
Either way, says Wired, “it’s a pretty incredible feat” and shows that tech companies are developing increasingly sophisticated “robots that get along with a world built by and for humans”.
“A giant robo-dog that helps out around the house sounds like a dream come true,” says Gizmodo - although the bot “will probably let all of its little robo-friends in so they can hang out and plot humanity’s demise”.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Should you add your child to your credit card?
The Explainer You can make them an authorized user on your account in order to help them build credit
-
Cracker Barrel crackup: How the culture wars are upending corporate branding
In the Spotlight Is it 'woke' to leave nostalgia behind?
-
'It's hard to discern what it actually means'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Deep thoughts: AI shows its math chops
Feature Google's Gemini is the first AI system to win gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad
-
The jobs most at risk from AI
The Explainer Sales and customer services are touted as some of the key jobs that will be replaced by AI
-
Why AI means it's more important than ever to check terms and conditions
In The Spotlight WeTransfer row over training AI models on user data shines spotlight on dangers of blindly clicking 'Accept'
-
Are AI lovers replacing humans?
Talking Points A third of Gen Z singles use tech as a 'romantic companion'
-
Palantir: The all-seeing tech giant
Feature Palantir's data-mining tools are used by spies and the military. Are they now being turned on Americans?
-
Grok brings to light wider AI antisemitism
In the Spotlight Google and OpenAI are among the other creators who have faced problems
-
Intellectual property: AI gains at creators' expense
Feature Two federal judges ruled that it is fair use for AI firms to use copyrighted media to train bots
-
Is AI killing the internet?
Talking Point AI-powered browsers and search engines are threatening the death of the open web