Hyundai to tap robot dog Spot as facility inspector, security guard in factories

Hyundai Motor Group is considering deploying the four-legged, dog-like robot developed by Boston Dynamics Inc. dubbed Spot as a facility safety inspector and security guard in its production lines.

This was revealed by Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter.

Hyundai is also seeking to use Boston Dynamics' box-handling robot Stretch, which will be commercially available from next year.

Hyundai Motor has an 80 percent stake in Boston Dynamics, which it acquired from Japan’s SoftBank Group for $880 million in December.

The company's chairman Chung Euisun purchased the remaining 20 percent stake with his own $206 million.

Since the Boston Dynamics acquisition, Hyundai has increasingly been seeking to deploy robots in smart factories and last-mile product delivery, while utilizing the US firm's technology to its urban air mobility (UAM) and autonomous driving and projects.

Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics is using Hyundai Motor's technologies to cut its production costs and upgrade quality.

Playter noted that Boston Dynamics would soon reach a breakeven point and become profitable next year, for the first time in its 30-year history, with its newest robot Stretch becoming commercially available.

It is also seeking to lower its robot prices and may offer robot rental services. Spot costs $74,500.