Images have emerged of one of Boston Dynamics’ robotic dogs patrolling a SpaceX test site in the U.S.
The video allegedly shows SpaceX using the $ 75,000 (£ 60,000) robotic dog to inspect the aftermath of its test site in Boca Chica, Texas.
SpaceX had just performed a cryogenic pressure test on the Starship SN7 dome tank prototype, according to Tesmanian.
SN7 was filled with subcooled liquid nitrogen and intentionally pressurized to its capacity before exploding and collapsing on its side.
The stainless steel commercial spacecraft, once operational, will be able to transport passengers on long-haul trips to the Moon and Mars.
But until the launch vehicle is ready, Elon Musk’s company appears to be employing a little help from a trusted robotic partner.
In images captured by Texas-based YouTuber LabPadre, the Boston Dynamics dog can be seen trotting through thick nitrogen clouds alongside the wreckage.
The leaked images also allegedly show a bright red doghouse for the robot dog to sleep in, showing that it has been renamed ‘Zeus’ by Musk’s firm.
Scroll down to watch the video
The YouTuber LabPadre footage has emerged from the aftermath of SpaceX’s intentional pressure test. Spectators with eagle eyes saw a dog figure trotting through the nitrogen gas cloud
The nimble four-legged robotic dog, named after the product ‘Spot,’ has been developed by the highly reserved American firm Boston Dynamics for years.
But it was finally put up for sale last week and it seems Musk was quick to pick up one of the debris.
The robot, which is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, can map your environment, detect and avoid obstacles, climb stairs and open doors.
You can be charged with detecting oil leaks, inspecting equipment, taking mechanical readings, and completing inspections in areas that may be too dangerous for human workers.
The robot dog, which is equipped with cameras and sensors, may be being used to explore environments that no SpaceX human worker can handle.
“The combination of Spot’s sophisticated software and high-performance mechanical design allows the robot to increase difficult or dangerous human work,” said Marc Raibert, president and founder of Boston Dynamics, in a previous statement.
“You can now use Spot to increase human security in environments and tasks where traditional automation has not been successful.”
The blurry images of LabPadre released earlier this month also appear to show Zeus on the SpaceX test site in a closer view.
Neither SpaceX nor Boston Dynamics have responded to MailOnline to confirm that the little dog figure in the video is actually a Spot robot.
But the multi-billion dollar company SpaceX is likely not to waste time buying such a highly anticipated piece of hardware.
Elon Musk has even gone to the trouble of setting up a doghouse for SpaceX’s new robotic employee
Spot, the quadruped robot has been developed by Boston Dynamics. Cognite and Aker BP have tested the mobility of Spot in simulated oil and gas environments to ensure you can access locations in these facilities that are too difficult to access through traditional automation
Boston Dynamics announced the spot in 2016 and underwent several tests before being released commercially on June 17.
As part of a pilot phase last year, Boston Dynamics leased 150 Spot robots to research, commercial and domestic facilities to ‘document construction progress, monitor remote or hazardous environments and provide situational awareness.’
Singapore employed Spot to tour the parks, conveying a message reminding pedestrians to keep their distance during the coronavirus outbreak.
It has also been used to graze sheep on a New Zealand farm at speeds of up to three miles per hour.
Massachusetts police also used the dog to detect bombs as part of a three-month trial in exchange for comments.
Black Mirror’s ‘Metalhead’ was the fifth episode of the fourth season that was filmed entirely in black and white
Boston Dynamics technology is probably best known for inspiring a featured episode in Charlie Brooker’s dystopian Netflix series ‘Black Mirror’.
In the 2017 episode, called ‘Metalhead’, people in the near future flee from an army of robotic dogs that relentlessly hunt down humans.
But don’t worry: Boston Dynamics told The Verge that the company will not admit uses of Spot that ‘harm or intimidate’ people, including banning the use of weapons.
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