Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot has taken on a new role as a charming tour guide. The company’s engineers wanted to explore the capabilities of generative AI tools, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, and decided to create a tour guide using the technology. In a video demonstration, Spot, dressed in a hat and fake eyebrows, takes viewers on an entertaining tour of parts of Boston Dynamics’ facility in Massachusetts.
To prepare for the tour, the team gave Spot a script with the names and purposes of each room it was going to visit. Spot then used its built-in cameras to collect images and combined the data with a visual question answering model to provide more elaborate spoken responses. The video showcases Spot adopting different personalities, including a British butler guide, a sarcastic guide, and even a Shakespearean actor.
Matt Klingensmith, a principal software engineer at Boston Dynamics, expressed his surprise at the robot’s responses. Spot would come up with crazy personalities and incorporate its backstory into its observations. Klingensmith believes AI could allow robots to understand the actions they take in the context of the world around them, leading to applications that have yet to be imagined.
However, Klingensmith admitted that AI chatbots still have their limitations. They have a tendency to make things up and are affected by internet connection issues. As a result, human tour guides do not need to worry just yet, especially in locations like museums where inaccurate information would be undesirable.
Overall, Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot proves not only its impressive agility but also its ability to serve as an entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide. While AI chatbots still have room for improvement, the technology shows promise in enabling robots to understand and interact with their environment in ways that have not been possible before.
