‘Creepy’ Boston Dynamics robot dog dances in glittery blue costume

Tech

By Ben Cost

Humans aren’t the only beings in danger of being replaced by robots.

A video of Boston Dynamics’ iconic robo-dog Spot dancing in a blue dog costume freaked out social media users with many labeling the canine cosplay “fuel for nightmares.”

“Sparkles is a custom costume designed just for Spot,” wrote the robotics firm in the caption to the unsettling video, which amassed over 1.1 million views since Monday.

The dystopian clip, uploaded in honor of International Dance Day, begins with “Sparkles” performing a complex routine while another unadorned Spot model looks on.

Then, seemingly jealous of its counterpart hogging the Spot-light, the latter quadruped joins in and the duo executes a synchronized dance sequence so flawless it appears computer generated.

It appears that one can teach old robo-dogs new tricks.

BD wrote that they engineered the Sparkles costume to help their cybernetic canine “explore the intersections of robotics, art, and entertainment.”

Unfortunately, the creation seemed to have the opposite effect on viewers, who deemed this would-be Alvin AI-ley performance frightening and strange.

“Boston dynamics is having its creepy nightmare fuel phase and I’m all for it,” exclaimed one commenter, while another wrote, “The animatronics do get a bit quirky at night.”

A third wrote, “Everybody wants to pet the dog until its neck extends 4 feet.”

Many jokesters even invented dystopian scenarios involving Sparkles. “You have 3 seconds to pet me or you.will.be.EXTERMINATED,” said one wit.

“Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where a robot dog, equipped with a chainsaw, hunts you down as you huddle for warmth under the floorboards of your shack,” envisioned another. “Now instead of cold plastic and steel, you’re greeted with the face of sparkles brandishing the same chainsaw. My god.”

“Shaking” is just one of many functions performed by Spot, which has become one of the most renowned examples of autonomous robotics in the world.

Since its debut in 2016, the barking bot has been tasked with doing everything from fighting fires with the New York City Fire Department to “peeing” beer on command.