Spot is probably not working for the cops anymore, however Boston Dynamics’ quadruped robotic already has a brand new gig as a guard canine at a South Korean auto manufacturing facility. Cue a recent wave of “Black Mirror” memes.

Its official position might be as a “Factory Safety Service Robot,” in response to a press launch from Hyundai Motor Group, which acquired Boston Dynamics from Softbank again in June. The automaker introduced this week that Spot is working at Kia’s plant in South Korea as a part of a pilot program.

To monitor and implement security laws on the plant, Spot comes geared up with an in depth toolkit of high-tech options that solely sound barely dystopian. Its built-in thermal digital camera and 3D LiDAR sensor can detect whether or not a door is open or closed or if there are individuals in its quick neighborhood. It also can spot potential hearth hazards and temperature spikes.

One of Spot’s most helpful options is its means to make use of picture recognition powered by machine studying to be taught customized duties and abilities, comparable to navigation patterns or learn how to play fetch. The robotic can navigate the plant autonomously or be managed remotely by way of a safe webpage that broadcasts a dwell stream of its actions in real-time.

Through this similar webpage, Spot sends common updates to higher-ups about its exercise log and pictures of any on-site conditions it comes throughout. If it detects hazard whereas making its rounds, its methods will routinely shoot off an alert to manufacturing facility managers. Because of the robotic’s small measurement, it could actually navigate slender areas and establish blind spots which may be tough for its human co-workers to see, Hyundai stated.

Spot’s position as a Factory Safety Service Robot marks Hyundai’s first collaboration venture with Boston Dynamics, stated Dong Jin Hyun, head of Hyundai’s robotics lab, in a press release.

“The Robot will help detect risks and secure people’s safety in industrial sites,” he continued. “We will also continue to create smart services that detect dangers at industrial sites and help support a safe work environment through continuous collaborations with Boston Dynamics.”

As a part of its pilot program, Spot will carry out late-night safety patrols at Kia’s plant. Hyundai will entry the robotic’s effectiveness as soon as its trial run is full to find out whether or not to increase its patrol areas or give different websites their very own Spots too.

Boston Dynamics got here below hearth earlier this yr for partnering with the New York City Police Department to place so-called Digidogs within the area. Under the contract, most of Spot’s duties would have concerned mundane duties like finishing up security inspections for grid staff or scanning constructing layouts for corporations serious about new development tasks. However, given the NYPD’s extensive history of misconduct, individuals have been understandably involved on the thought of them having a military of robodogs at their command.

Widespread backlash led the NYPD to quietly reduce ties with Boston Dynamics in April. At the time, an organization spokesperson instructed the New York Times its robodogs have been by no means designed “to be used as weapons, inflict harm or intimidate people or animals.”