In the early 20th century, an automobile cruising down a street often required a person walking ahead of the vehicle with a red flag to warn pedestria

Boston Dynamics’ push for the Responsible Robotics Act

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2024-10-26 19:30:04

In the early 20th century, an automobile cruising down a street often required a person walking ahead of the vehicle with a red flag to warn pedestrians. Today, we are on the cusp of a similar revolution with regards to robotics, and at the forefront of the change in attitudes is Boston Dynamics, a company that has captured the public imagination with its remarkably-agile robots like Spot and Atlas.

As these mechanical marvels transition from viral video sensations to practical tools in industry, Boston Dynamics is pushing the boundaries of what’s technologically possible and taking steps to address the ethical implications of widespread robot adoption. One initiative is the company’s championing of the Responsible Robotics Act, a piece of legislation it’s promoting in collaboration with lawmakers and civil liberties advocates.

Spot, Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robot that can climb stairs and traverse rough terrain. Spot has been made commercially available since 2020. Photo: TechHQ