Paw patrol! Footage shows Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot herding sheep on a farm in New Zealand

Paw patrol! Footage shows Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot herding sheep on a farm in New Zealand

  • Spot gathered together the unruly farm animals with the help of two sheepdogs
  • Robot can reach speeds of up to 3mph and costs less than £30,000 to lease
  • Video also shows the robot marching through an orchard and navigating a slope 

This is the moment a robotic dog tries its metal paws at herding unruly sheep on a farm in New Zealand.

Spot gathered together the animals before pushing them through the field, with the help of two biological sheepdogs.

Developed by Boston Dynamics, it can reach speeds of up to 3mph and costs less than a car, which average £30,000, to lease, according to reports.

It has been heralded as the future of farming.

Spot gathered up the sheep in New Zealand with the help of two sheepdogs (pictured above)

The robot was seen helping the dogs to keep the sheep together. It appeared they were preparing to move them between fields

The robot was seen helping the dogs to keep the sheep together. It appeared they were preparing to move them between fields

The clip, which could offer a glimpse into the future of livestock care, also shows the robot marching through an orchard, along a road and navigating its way down a grassy verge. 

‘The use of autonomous robots in agriculture is increasing the efficiency of food production,’ said Rocos, which published the clip.

‘Robots, like Spot from Boston Dynamics, increase accuracy in yield estimates, relieve the strain of worker shortages and create precision in farming.’

The video has been viewed more than 103,000 times since it was released. 

Spot runs for 90 minutes before needing a battery change, is rain protected, and can withstand temperatures from -20C to 45C, according to the Boston Dynamics website.

The video also showed the robot marching through an orchard, shown, and making its way along a grassy verge

The video also showed the robot marching through an orchard, shown, and making its way along a grassy verge

It costs less than a car to lease, which average around £30,000, and has a top speed of 3mph

It costs less than a car to lease, which average around £30,000, and has a top speed of 3mph

The machine, which has also been offered for work on building sites, in mines, and in healthcare, can carry up to two stone.

And in a recent announcement, Boston Dynamics said it can be controlled from any location due to their partnership with cloud-based software platform Rocos. 

It can be purchased on lease through an ‘early adopter programme’ which costs less than a new car, reports Spectrum.org.

‘Our general guidance is that the total cost of the early adopter program will be less than the price of a car – but how nice a car will depend on the number of Spots leased and how long the customer will be leasing the robot,’ said the company’s business developer, Michael Perry.

Spot

Spot robot by Boston Dynamics

Spot robot by Boston Dynamics

Battery life: 90 minutes

Top speed: 3mph 

Rain protected?: Yes

Temperature tolerance: -20C to 45C

Where work?: Farms, construction sites, mines, healthcare, public safety and more

Weight it can carry: up to two stone

Cost: Less than £30,000

Added features: Can have robotic arms attached and can be controlled from any location. 

 

Sheepdog

Sheepdog and puppy together in Scotland

Sheepdog and puppy together in Scotland

Battery life: Years, providing it is fed

Top speed: Up to 30mph

Rain protected?: Yes

Temperature tolerance: Similar to humans

Where work?: Herding animals on a farm, particularly sheep

Weight it can carry: Unknown

Cost: Around £1,400 for a starter dog

Added features: Love and affection towards its owner and other humans. Needs to be trained.

 

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