Boston Dynamics' robo-dog available at a whopping Rs. 57 lakh

First unveiled in 2017, Spot robo-dog stands nearly 3-feet tall and uses 17 electrically-actuated joints and 3D vision to navigate while perceiving its surroundings.

The battery-powered machine weighs around 30Kg and can lift almost half of it while traversing through various terrains and dodging people/obstacles at the same time.

Notably, it operates on its own but remote control is also an option for users.

The autonomous, customizable, and seamless navigational capabilities of Spot has already enabled its use in several areas, including reminding people about social distancing in parks, helping doctors remotely triage COVID-19 patients, patrolling an oil rig in Norway, and working with a bomb-squad.

Beyond that, we have also seen its fancy tricks like opening doors and hauling a rickshaw, a truck, and a 3-ton plane.

All the applications of Spot were made possible through a short-term lease under the Boston Dynamics' Early Adopter Program.

Now, the company is changing that and opening the robot to direct purchases.

It says any company in the US can buy it for industrial/commercial purposes but the orders will remain subject to Boston Dynamics' terms, which mandate only "beneficial use" of the machines.

In case the requirements suit you, visit this page (bostondynamics.com) to place an order for Spot.

The ready-to-operate Explorer model of the robot, complete with its flexible API and payload interfaces, comes at $74,500 (Rs. 57 lakh) or, you can say, the base price of Tesla Model S.

Plus, for add-ons like LiDAR and additional batteries, you will have to shell out more.