This Musculoskeletal robot dog is the upgrade that makes your robot pet dream more realistic

Aug 17, 2023

There are some people who are born to be fur parents, specifically to puppies and dogs. But there are also those who for one reason or another, whether allergies or living situations, cannot have an actual pet. Probably the next best thing to get is a virtual pet although that doesn't seem to bring the same comfort as having an actual dog. Maybe the next best thing would be to get a dog-inspired robot, if you’re not scared of them one day becoming your robot overlord (although actual dogs can also be overlords).

Designer: Hengzhi Future Team

We’ve seen some robot dogs in the market but there's still room for improvement in terms of mobility and functionality. Sparky is a new robot dog designed by a Chinese consumer robotic company and it says that it's able to be more "realistic" in terms of movement and even the musculature of the animal that inspired it. Well, even though it's meant to be a dog, their inspiration for the movement is based on various wildlife like horses and ostriches. The final look is meant to still be all canine though.

They studied how the limbs of these real animals moved and then incorporated them into modular connecting rods using an AIA actuator motor unit. The final result is that these musculoskeletal limbs lets Sparky be able to run, jump, and play just like a real dog, or at least the closest that a robot dog is able to do so. However, don't expect it to be as cuddly as dogs since it's actually made from metal. You get a shiny and sleek finish that may seem unnatural at first.

This robot dog is meant to be an alternative to a pet for those who cannot afford to keep a dog. It comes with a built-in camera and microphone so it can interact with its owners. It has an AI system that can understand commands and even "talk" with the people around it. You also get a remote control or a dedicated app that lets you control your metal pet and customize it according to what you may need in a four-legged companion.

If the phrase "Work Smart, not Work Hard" were a robot vacuum, it would probably be the Roborock S7 Max Ultra. With a design so…

Although humans are primarily considered to be highly visual creatures, we have also become more acutely aware of the important role that sound plays in…

One of my pet peeves is people who take calls in public and talk noisily to whoever it is who's calling. I don't need to…

Groom yourself a sexy beard to match your sexy car with the Audi Philips shaver! Designed to mimic the shapes of the brand's automotive models,…

Summer is not for everyone – sure it is nice when you are at the beach but is it nice to feel like you are…

The minimalist shape of this Bluetooth headset is geared to the practical necessities of wearing it as a clothing clip. Basic body and clip form…