Boston Dynamics 2/12/15

• In 2005, Boston Dynamics unveiled its robot "mule," Big Dog. Now it has a smaller, and it is called Spot. It weights 160 lb. It is electrically-powered, hydraulically-actuated, four-legged robot. 
• Boston Dynamics isn't releasing many details about Spot beyond saying that it's designed for indoor and outdoor operation.
• Spot is the smallest of Boston Dynamics' quadruped robots, other then the lab-bound Little Dog. It shows the cleanest engineering. 
• It's nimbler than Big Dog and is much quieter than the internal combustion engines used by the larger robots.
• Another improvement is the configuration of the legs. Where Big Dog and its derivatives use a forward-angled leg design, Spot's is angled backwards like the legs of a goat, and it hops like one. 
• The company's robots are well known for keeping their balance, but Spot holds its feet with only a quick, remarkably lifelike stagger.
• Previous Boston Dynamics quadrupeds were developed as part of a contract to create robotic pack mules to assist soldiers with their gear in rough country. However, more information will need to be released.