Boston Dynamics tries using 'robot dogs' for deliveries

Boston Dynamics is testing a new conveyor belt accessory for its Spot quadruped robot to carry packages from a vehicle and autonomously unload them on a customer's doorstep in an effort to reduce a delivery driver's workload, the company said. The robotics firm is already in talks with major logistics companies about testing Spot for a last-mile delivery solution and aims to move from demonstrations to a full pilot project. A demo video shows a driver unloading packages onto Spot for doorstep distribution. Boston Dynamics says Spot's ability to clamber over uneven terrain and navigate complicated obstacles could make it well suited for the unstructured environments of suburban neighborhoods where the path from the curb to a front door is rarely obstacle-free. The robot is already frequently used to help comb through rubble as part of search and rescue operations. The company believes the system will not only help reduce physical strain on delivery drivers but also give them more time for other tasks such as prepping the next delivery while Spot drops off its current payload, potentially increasing their capacity. For every three packages delivered via Spot, the company thinks it can add another package to the van, said Paige Miller, Boston Dynamics' senior staff product manager for Spot.