In 2013, Google went big on robotics. Under the leadership of Android father Andy Rubin, the company went on a shopping spree that included marquee companies like Boston Dynamics. The division was named Replicant, in an homage to Blade Runner that worked with the whole Alphabet motif. It was big and secretive and expensive, and […]
View More Google has scaled back, moved forward with roboticsCategory: Boston Dynamics
Five really, really good reasons to attend TC Sessions: Robotics & AI @ UC Berkeley on April 18
There are actually a lot more than five great reasons, but these five should be enough to make just about anyone eager to join TechCrunch’s robotics and AI show April 18 at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall. 1. Fireside & Panel Discussions TechCrunch’s editors will have a busy day with more than 20 riveting sessions — […]
View More Five really, really good reasons to attend TC Sessions: Robotics & AI @ UC Berkeley on April 18Announcing the Agenda for TC Sessions: Robotics/AI at UC Berkeley on April 18
We’re bringing TC Sessions: Robotics + AI back to UC Berkeley on April 18, and we’re excited to announce our jam-packed agenda that highlights the best and brightest in robotics and – new for 2019 – artificial intelligence. For months we’ve been selecting the most innovative startups and top leaders from established tech companies working […]
View More Announcing the Agenda for TC Sessions: Robotics/AI at UC Berkeley on April 18Deeply discounted student tickets for TC Sessions: Robotics + AI 2019
Are you a student within striking distance of Berkeley, California? Do you have a burning passion for robots and artificial intelligence? We have great news for you. We’re offering deeply discounted student tickets to TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics + AI 2019, which takes place at UC Berkeley on April 18. Immerse yourself in our day-long event […]
View More Deeply discounted student tickets for TC Sessions: Robotics + AI 2019Marc Raibert will be speaking at TC Sessions: : Robotics + AI April 18 at UC Berkeley
So, we’ve already announced that Anca Dragan, Alexei Efros, Hany Farid, Melonee Wise, Peter Barrett, Rana el Kaliouby, Arnaud Thiercelin and Laura Major will all be appearing at April’s big robotics show on April 18 at UC Berkeley (Early Bird sale is on now!) This week we’ve got another big name to add to the […]
View More Marc Raibert will be speaking at TC Sessions: : Robotics + AI April 18 at UC BerkeleySave your spot for TechCrunch Robotics+AI 2019
TechCrunch returns to UC Berkeley on April 18th for TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics+AI. The single-day event will feature talks, workshops, demos and plenty of networking opportunities. We added artificial intelligence to the event this year because the technology is so closely tied to the success of robotics and so much more. We have several ways for […]
View More Save your spot for TechCrunch Robotics+AI 2019YouBionic adds creepy hands to SpotMini, the creepy robot dog
If you’ve ever wanted to add creepy, 3D-printed hands to your creepy robot dog, YouBionic has you covered. This odd company is offering an entirely 3D-printed arm solution for the Boston Dynamics SpotMini, the doglike robot that already has an arm of its own. YouBionic is selling the $179 3D models for the product that […]
View More YouBionic adds creepy hands to SpotMini, the creepy robot dogGoogle is closing its Schaft robotics unit after failing to find a buyer
Sad news for anyone into giant robots: Google is closing down Schaft, its secretive unit that develops bipedal robots aimed at helping out in disaster efforts and generally looking badass. The news was first reported by Nikkei, but Google confirmed to TechCrunch that the business will be shuttered. It said it is helping staff find new roles, […]
View More Google is closing its Schaft robotics unit after failing to find a buyerBurgerbot startup Creator hires inventor of Boston Dynamics’ Big Dog
Disney Imagineering animatronics wizard Dr. Martin Buehler is a legend in the robotics world. His work leading development of the galloping Big Dog quadruped at Boston Dynamics both inspired and terrified a new generation of makers. But after playing in the worlds of fantasy and science fiction that consumers can’t buy, Buehler has been poached […]
View More Burgerbot startup Creator hires inventor of Boston Dynamics’ Big DogThe dancing Boston Dynamics robot is even scarier when set to ‘SexyBack’
If you thought it was scary enough when the Boston Dynamics robot dog SpotMini danced its robot ass off to “Uptown Funk,” you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Turns out, SpotMini’s menacing moves are even more upsetting when set to the funky, eerie tune of Ju…
There’s a robot dog empire in the making and Boston Dynamics has some worthy competitors – Genius Moments
This year’s International Conference for Robotics and Systems was like a clash of the robot dog titans as a video emerged of the Boston Dynamics SpotMini hanging out with the ANYbotics robot, called ANYmal.
According to ANYbotics’ cofounder P&#…
Boston Dynamics robot SpotMini twerking to ‘Uptown Funk’ is still terrifying
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Robot engineering company Boston Dynamics released a video of its robot dog SpotMini dancing to “Uptown Funk” on Tuesday, and I’m just wondering: Is this supposed to make me feel better about our robot overlords?
Sure, it’s still the early days of AI and robot innovations, and our robotic counterparts don’t yet reign supreme—but I know it’s coming — and this doesn’t make me feel any better about it!
Of course, I recognize that this video is meant to be humorous and adorable. But with every precise dance move I’m reminded that this sophisticated machine can be programmed to execute me as easily as it can be programmed to dance to Bruno Mars. An incredibly upsetting thought. Read more…
More about Robots, Boston Dynamics, Uptown Funk, Culture, and Web Culture
View More Boston Dynamics robot SpotMini twerking to ‘Uptown Funk’ is still terrifying