It is a fact that until now robots were machines that executed specific orders in isolated tasks, but now they begin to make decisions alone based on what they see, hear and feel. and the experts in that are Boston Dynamics, which has just released the 5.1 update for the Spot, its quadruped robot, along with a new version of Orbit, the software that manages fleets and analyzes data.

The goal of this update is to accelerate real-world, large-scale deployments with new workflows, corporate control, and a completely revamped sensor load. The intention of this change is the deeper integration between the physical robot and artificial intelligence models that operate in the cloud.

According to the company, both Spot and Orbit were designed to continually learn about the facilities where they work, improving over time without requiring constant reprogramming. In practice this means that the robot stops being just a data collector and begins to function as a living inspection system.

The biggest leap of this update is in the new Spot Cam 2, which is a 4K PTZ camera with 25 times optical zoom, integrated radiometric thermal camera, panoramic vision of up to 360º and support for acoustic generators capable of detecting leaks, vibrations and mechanical failures solely by sound.

The spot now manages to unite image, heat, audio and video and a single multimodal inspection, all aimed at the same point, allowing problems invisible to the human eye to be identified before they become critical failures and more. The robot began to open doors on its own, even without a robotic arm.

Testing with Beta clients, Spot has already opened more than 2,005 doors automatically, navigating previously inaccessible areas, with this, Spot stops being just an inspection robbery and begins to take on a broader role within the facilities. Update 5.1 also introduces autonomous security patrols capable of identifying people, recording images, generating alerts, and deciding whether to continue, pause, or end a mission.

Robots like Spot already patrol, inspect and make decisions alone within factories and critical facilities.