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A few years ago, in a Pentagon competition, the robots fell over in rows on two legs.
They often failed to keep their balance or even to walk straight ahead.
But the US company Boston Dynamics is now presenting incredible progress.
Two humanoid robots from the Atlas brand, the robot dog Spot and the logistics robot Handle dance exuberantly to the song "Do you love me" by "The Contours" in the latest company video.
In the lyrics the question is asked, "Do you love me - now that I can dance?"
With its robot dance to this song, Boston Dynamics indirectly refers to the core question of whether robots are more of a threat or a blessing for humanity.
Shortly after the video was published, there were mostly worried comments on social networks.
One fear was that humanity was doomed to failure in view of the abilities achieved by the robots.
There was also talk of a creepy fascination.
When the robots learned to dance
It was only in December that Hyundai took over 80 percent of the robotics company Boston Dynamics.
Now it can be seen that the money was well invested.
Because the robots can now even dance - and almost scary well.
Source: WELT / Kevin Knauer
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Even technology entrepreneur Elon Musk got involved in the discussion by sending a short message.
To a comment that dancing robots are less intimidating, Musk replied tersely: "Less?"
Musk has repeatedly warned against the use of artificial intelligence, possibly coupled with robots.
The technology entrepreneur rates artificial intelligence as the greatest threat to humanity because it could take control.
He repeatedly said: "Artificial intelligence is more dangerous than nuclear weapons." In Musk's view, the only way out is to merge the human brain with artificial intelligence in order to keep them in check with brain doping.
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With the regular publication of robot videos, Boston Dynamics shows the progress made in the meantime in robots on two legs or its four-legged canine robots, which can be used for monitoring tasks, for example.
In Singapore, for example, the spot robot dog is already being used in a park to ensure that passers-by keep the minimum distance to contain the virus spread during the corona pandemic.
When asked whether artificial intelligence is already being used in robots, the US company gave a rather evasive answer.
The dog robot uses "athletic intelligence", for example when climbing stairs, avoiding obstacles, crossing difficult terrain and autonomously following preset routes without constant input from the user.
According to the US company, it can also respond to voice commands.
Hyundai is now the new owner
The videos are also used to promote sales.
It was only in September that the company expanded the sale of its dog robots to Europe.
After all, the company is supposed to make money and recently changed hands again.
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The company, founded in 1992, was originally funded by the Pentagon research agency Darpa in the development of human-like robots.
Autonomous robots should be developed, for example to defuse bombs.
At the end of 2013, the US company was bought by Google with the idea of setting up a robot division.
But the project was rejected.
In 2017 it was taken over by the Japanese telecommunications and media group Softbank.
In mid-December it was announced that Boston Dynamics will in future belong to the South Korean auto company Hyundai.
The Hyundai Motor Group - South Korea's second largest group of companies after Samsung - pays $ 921 million for 80 percent.
Softbank retains the legal 20 percent.
The robot manufacturer is valued at around $ 1.1 billion overall.
Boston Dynamics does not publish any business figures itself.
However, the company is considered a global leader in its sector.
Hyundai justifies the entry with “several key technologies for high-performance robots that are equipped with perception, navigation and intelligence.” Overall, the Hyundai Group has the vision of changing human life by combining world-leading robotics technologies with its mobility expertise, what is referred to as "Smart Mobility Solution" by the group.