This remarkable robot dog can climb stairs, walk on ice, and withstand human kicks

See Spot run, walk, and gracefully withstand human kicks — (Image credit: Boston Dynamics/YouTube)

Google's Boston Dynamics loves to show off its animatronic animals. Spot, a robotic dog the company unveiled in a video on Monday, might be the most impressive one yet. He's no Astro, but you can see Spot walk. And see Spot jog. And see Spot climb stairs with ease. And see Spot get kicked hard on icy pavement and gracefully remain on all four legs. Seriously, watch the mechanical dog in action — and hope that Boston Dynamics finds a way to muffle the sound in future iterations. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.