The AI ​​robot dog that is beefing up Donald Trump’s security

With 360-degree perception and athletic intelligence, the Boston Dynamics classify the robot dog Spot as a versatile ally, used on construction sites, research laboratories and even in the security of world leaders. Recently, the Spot was integrated into the United States Secret Service security system and spotted patrolling the Mar-a-Lagoresidence and private club of President-elect Donald Trump.

Evolving security with Spot

Presidential security is a dynamic element, with processes frequently reviewed. The addition of Spot reflects the Secret Service’s commitment to technological innovation. Although there is no exact information about when the robot began to be used in Trump’s security, episodes such as the assassination attempts may have accelerated its adoption.

With advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, Spot has proven useful in identifying threats, from explosives to suspicious movements, especially in strategic locations like Mar-a-Lago.

Artificial intelligence and Spot capabilities

Since its arrival on the market in June 2020, Spot has undergone constant improvements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Equipped with sensors, microphones and speakers, it is controlled by a human operator using a joystick.

The robot can monitor areas, map spaces, transport equipment and perform specific tasks depending on the environment. In Brazil, for example, two units are used at the Itaipu hydroelectric plant, helping in difficult-to-access areas and dangerous environments.

Integration with ChatGPT

Boston Dynamics has demonstrated Spot’s progress in new applications. Last year, a video showed the robot interacting with a team member thanks to integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT API. This integration allows Spot to answer questions and receive commands in natural language, expanding its usage possibilities. The same has been applied to humanoid robots, such as Ameca.

According to Matt Klingensmithsoftware engineer at Boston Dynamics:

“These models [LLMs] can help provide cultural context, general knowledge and flexibility that would be useful for many robotics tasks – for example, being able to assign a task to a robot just by speaking to it would help reduce the learning curve for using these systems.”

How much does Spot cost?

The investment in equipment like Spot is high. One unit of the robot dog costs around US$ 75 mil (R$ 432 mil).