Imagine if — perhaps fed up of being shaken and squeezed by curious recipients — Christmas presents had the habit of rising on spindly legs and trotting off elsewhere.
This is the simultaneously comic yet oddly unsettling spectacle played out in Boston Dynamic’s freshly released festive video that stars their iconic robot dog, Spot.
Initially completely covered by a large, beautifully-wrapped gift box, the mechanical mutt stands up and sedately saunters offscreen — visible only via its legs as it leaves.
The surreal visuals are reinforced by a quirky version of ‘Jingle Bells’, although one is sure that the end message — ‘Happy Holidays’ — is quite sincerely meant.
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Imagine if — perhaps fed up of being shaken and squeezed by curious recipients — Christmas presents had the habit of rising on spindly legs and trotting off elsewhere. This is the simultaneously comic yet oddly unsettling spectacle played out in Boston Dynamic’s freshly released festive video (pictured) that stars their iconic robot dog, Spot
Initially completely covered by a large, beautifully-wrapped gift box (as pictured), the mechanical mutt stands up and saunters offscreen — visible only via its legs as it leaves
Pictured: some users were curious as to how Spot worked within the box. Others made puns
Boston Dynamics posted the bizarre little clip onto twitter yesterday.
‘Happy holidays and many thanks to everyone who helped drive Spot’s success this year!,’ the robotics firm tweeted.
‘We’re excited to see where you can take our robots in 2022.’
Not everyone, however, seemed excited by to see Spot hiding in the first place.
‘No, no, no camouflaged robots please,’ responded Twitter user @ReaderCatMe.
‘You can’t pretend these are lovable robot dogs when other companies literally copied your designs and your work to make killer robots for armed forces.
‘Great job,’ she concluded.
While Boston Dynamics have long balked at the notion of equipping their robots with offensive weaponry — even just a paintball gun — many of their competition do not have such qualms at all.
Not everyone, however, seemed excited by to see Spot hiding in the first place. ‘No, no, no camouflaged robots please,’ responded Twitter user @ReaderCatMe. ‘You can’t pretend these are lovable robot dogs when other companies literally copied your designs and your work to make killer robots for armed forces. Great job’
Other social media users were more taken with the festive video. ‘Can we please get another fun dance routine this year?’ asked @shira_dinal
Other social media users were more taken with the festive video.
‘This is how All Boston Dynamics Spots should be delivered!’ wrote Twitter user @Oscarwi99794587.
‘Can we please get another fun dance routine this year?’ asked @shira_dinal.
Other posters — @isobeard and @Wonziu, specifically — noted that Spot looked like the ‘Metal Gear’ video game series character Snake hiding under a cardboard box to sneak his way past armed guards.
