Of course, it won’t clean the carpets, but it can clearly do a mean backflip.
After leaving its great impression on the smartphone field and introducing the future plans of its electric cars, Xiaomi is turning its head towards the robotics world. On the occasion of its Mi Mix 4 launch, Xiaomi announced a secret new addition to its device bouquet. This surprise is a new quadrupedal robot device called CyberDog.
It’s incredibly an enhanced mechanical pet device in the same manner as Boston Dynamics’ Spot, but a bit creepier. Despite this, Xiaomi believes that this quadruped robot is a testament to Xiaomi’s “engineering efficiency” and serves as a test bench for robotic admirers.
Price and Availability of CyberDog
It’s not sure that you’d want a quadruped robot dog in your home, but the company’s CyberDog looks evidence of concept more than anything else. Xiaomi is rolling out 1,000 CyberDogs to engineers, admirers, and fans to begin with its own open-source robotics builder community. These initial first 1,000 units of the device will be sold for 9,999 yuan (~$1,542).
However, for now, we don’t have any information if or when the company will launch CyberDog to the public. Right now, the robot’s availability looks to be confined to this first rollout. But don’t worry. If you truly want a Xiaomi quadruped robot companion, you can just grab a vacuum cleaner. And if you need a pet, maybe you should get a real dog?
Instead of delivering this as a general-sale device, Xiaomi is currently intending to launch 1,000 units of these things to “Xiaomi fans, robotics enthusiasts, and engineers to together find out the enormous possibility of CyberDog.” This will be delivered by an open-source community, arranged by Xiaomi, which may be followed by the development of a robotics laboratory to put a route for “future innovations.”
Obviously, this dog-resembling device isn’t cheap, and those fans who want to get involved will be required to shell out 9,999 yuan or about $1,540 to buy one of these for themselves.
Specs of the Quadruped CyberDog
We should begin with the processing power. The device’s “brain” comprises Nvidia’s Jetson Xavier NX module, which consists of 384 CUDA cores, six Carmel CPU cores, 48 Tensor cores, and two cores available for deep learning. This module catches and absorbs information from the device’s 11 sensors which allows and informs the CyberDog’s movement by the world. The device movement utilizes the company’s custom-developed servos to do actions such as backflips and some other “high-speed movements” at up to 3.2m/s (11.5 km/h or 7.15 mph).
The sensor set of CyberDog also uses multiple cameras placed on the device’s body. This contains an Intel RealSense D450 depth sensor. This deep sensor allows object tracking and hindrance prevention. The company explains that this enables CyberDog to follow its master and prevent pitfalls, more like a real dog.
Coming to voice speech recognition, so CyberDog also responds to calls. The robot device can be activated just by using a wake word, or it can also be controlled by others, whereas other voice instructions and assistants are also favorable. There’s ample I/O available as well, including an HDMI port and three USB-C ports. This enables developers to add-on hardware or embarks their own software cocktails.
Things You Should Know About CyberDog
The quadruped robot goal is not completely understood. Rumors have leaked about the open-source nature of the design. Rumors are it would primarily just deliver 1,000 devices for “Xiaomi enthusiasts.” If believing the rumors, a quadrupedal robotic device is supposed to build and commercialized for these first users. Although, it’s not confirmed if this pricing kept the same for any subsequent model.
CyberDog’s “pet-resembling character” is shown off in the same press release, including its potential to respond to voice directions and obey its master just like a real dog. The company isn’t putting CyberDog as a competition to Sony’s Aibo robot dog, depending on the images of the robot device. On the contrary to Aibo, CyberDog is slim and advanced, if not a touch scary in looks.
The device seems like the adherent of the sci-fi TV show, pacing up staircases and looking silhouetted in doorways, as per the renderings. As we expected, there will be unavoidable comparisons to Black Mirror’s “Metalhead” episode.
If compared to Spot, then Spot can run at 3.9 mph, whereas CyberDog can run at 3.2 mph. It weighs 3 pounds, as per the company claim. Jetson Xavier AI platform powers the CyberDog device, which is prepared with cameras and sensors. For depth sensing, Intel’s RealSense D450 camera is used. Plus, touch sensors are another major feature outfitted in this machine. With the help of these components, Semi-autonomous navigation can be performed.
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