Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Brian Heater
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:Brian Heater
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Image Credits:Brian Heater
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Government & Policy
Hardware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
privateness
Robotics
Security
societal
Space
startup
TikTok
Transportation
speculation
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
newssheet
Podcasts
video
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
When it was first unveiled in the summer of 2021,Xiaomi ’s CyberDogdesign was best name as a more hair-raising version of Boston Dynamics ’ Spot . I had to disentangle through dozens of variant of the same “ Black Mirror ” joke on my timeline that day .
Announced this retiring summer , CyberDog 2 attend a bit more favorable than its predecessor . “ A snatch ” is doing a sight of heavy lifting here . The robot wienerwurst is still no Sony Aibo . It does , however , sell the first CyberDog ’s flat , Spot - similar head for something more blackguard like . This did not , however , stop the guy cable standing next to me in Xiaomi’sMWCbooth from repeatedly referring to the robot as “ gato ” in a voice that sounded like he was addressing a new-sprung kitten .
I would describe the head as resembling a Doberman ’s , with the cropped , pointy ear . I ’ve met plenty of decent Dobermans in my life , though I infer that the stock is one many would n’t debate to be particularly friendly .
This week at MWC was my first opportunity to see the new CyberDog up near . Demos were limit at Xiaomi ’s cubicle , exclusively showcasing the minuscule dog ’s dressage shuffle . Watching it do its piddling dance really did prompt me of a scaled - down interlingual rendition of Boston Dynamics ’ intimate robot .
The golem can also flip , as seen in some of the promotional video . It prefer not to execute that specific task this morning , though I do n’t doubt it can . As one CSAIL professor work with the school day ’s Mini - Cheetah robotonce told me , “ flip is much easier than walking ” when it comes to these machines . It ’s an authoritative admonisher of how golem design is fundamentally different than ours .
CyberDog 2 can presently be purchase online for $ 3,000 — that ’s about double the $ 1,600 cost point of its predecessor . Of course , that version did n’t have a video where it does a crazy backflipoff a moving skateboard .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Xiaomi is pose the system of rules as a kind of place golem — albeit a prohibitively expensive one . The above video also hint that the robot dog might one daylight replace the real matter , owing to its ability to talk back . It ’s got a bunch of dogs reckon sad that their owners have abandoned them for something that look like a dystopian version of Dr. Who ’s K9 ( thanks , Natasha L , for that reference ) .
Until it becomes a bit cuddlier , however , good destiny with that .
