Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence—and it’s not just talk. Across every industry, we’re seeing more and more examples of AI high performers outpacing their peers.

At the same time, companies are making big investments in digital transformation. But there’s a problem. AI depends on reliable data, which many companies struggle to collect. This leaves their most valuable resources untapped and limits their digital transformation.

Our industrial inspection solution is the missing link. The world’s leaders in manufacturing, natural resources, power, and utilities are using our autonomous robots to gather higher quality and higher quantities of data than ever. Thousands of Spots have been deployed around the world—more than any other walking robot—to tackle this challenge.

This release helps maintenance teams tap into the power of AI with new software capabilities and Spot enhancements. We’ve expanded our offering to support enterprises with growing robot fleets. You’ll notice mobility improvements, heightened visibility into your facility, and added flexibility around data analysis.

Announcing Orbit: Fleet Management Software

Orbit is your portal for managing asset-intensive facilities through real-time and predictive intelligence. An evolution of our software offering, Orbit brings a whole new suite of fleet management capabilities and will unify your ecosystem of Boston Dynamics robots, starting with Spot.

Visualize Robot Operations with Site Maps

Orbit grounds the digital in the physical, overlaying real-time information about your robots and inspections over a facility drawing. Watch live robot locations, active missions, and inspection alerts—all within the visual context of your facility.

Operators can use site maps to create and modify missions recordings. A powerful new feature is the ability to merge recordings with shared fiducials. This means that large, complex sites can be recorded in separate sessions over several days—or even with many robots simultaneously— with the recordings merged later as a single, cohesive map in Orbit.

All you need to create your first site map is a drawing of your facility as a JPEG, PNG, or PDF file. If you have recordings in Scout today, you’ll be able to import them to Orbit for a smooth transition.

Cloud and On-Premise

As digital transformation moves toward the cloud, we’re meeting your requirements with new flexible installation options. Orbit is available as a cloud offering that can integrate with your existing Wi-Fi, LTE, or cellular connection to Spot, eliminating the need for networking hardware. Site Hub is still available for on-premise installation. Today, Orbit is available in the cloud for North American customers only with more geographies coming soon. Site Hub is available everywhere.

Flexible Mission Scheduling

This release introduces more ways to specify mission cadences with the Orbit scheduler. Schedule missions to loop as often as possible within launch windows or to run on specific days and times. You can also build in exclusions (like weekends). Toggling schedules on and off or pausing missions entirely is as easy as a flip of a switch, so as site conditions change, so can your schedule.

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Customize Alerts

An alert is only valuable when it reaches the right people with relevant information in a timely manner. Orbit improves how alerts are displayed and shared so stakeholders can make more efficient, more informed decisions.

Check real-time inspection alerts right from the homepage. And with just one click, see a deeper analysis of thermal, acoustic, and visual anomalies. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, customize email notification settings by relevancy or severity to receive the updates you really need on any device.

Spot & Tablet Enhancements

This release includes several improvements to Spot’s mobility and tablet controls.

First, Spot has a new walk—made possible by innovations in reinforcement learning. Spot was already great at walking, but with this release, you’ll see significant improvements to Spot’s performance around challenging terrain like slippery surfaces and obstacles. Spot’s walk is also noticeably softer and quieter.

Second, we’ve made adjustments to manual controls that improve comfort and command. As you modify Spot’s position, the robot will now hold the position even when you release the tablet joysticks. Spot won’t return to a neutral position again until walking. Additionally, this update allows you to lock the tablet to avoid undesired operation.

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Third, the Spot API now supports displaying live signal data and telemetry in the tablet and Orbit. Create a continuously updated display of numerical or text readings during Spot teleoperation with contextual information, sensor specifications, and alert condition specifications. For example, you could set visual indicators only when a gas sensor signal value is at a critical level alert.

Fourth, you can now send Spot to any accessible dock or recorded location in your site map from Orbit without manual operation. Spot will autonomously navigate to the destination you designate.

Lastly, we continue to refine how Spot interacts with its environment. With this release, you’ll notice improvements to the way Spot behaves around moving objects and stairs.

Self-Service Part Orders

We’ve made it easier for you to order replacement foot grippers, body panels, and more. For the first time, eligible customers have the option to replace parts in the field for routine maintenance. About 40 parts are available today for order in limited quantities. Some restrictions apply.

We’re equipping the modern workforce to fully realize the value of AI to improve safety, predictability, and efficiency. As our robots keep pushing boundaries for mobility and autonomy, we’re also closing the loop between physical sites and software. With data at their fingertips, our customers are eliminating guesswork, making informed decisions, and increasing efficiency.

To learn more about what’s new in Spot and Orbit:

Register for our upcoming webinar: Scaling Data-Driven Asset Reliability with Robot Fleets

Read the release notes: Spot v4.0.0 Release Notes

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