Boston Dynamics’ robot dog trained on Gemini, learns to walk a real one

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Boston Dynamics’ robot dog trained on Gemini, learns to walk a real one

Published: 15 Apr. 2026, 18:50

SARAH CHEA
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Spot four-legged robot dog, which became smarter with Google Gemini AI, is taking a dog for a walk. [BOSTON DYNAMICS]

Spot, the four-legged robot dog, developed by Hyundai Motor-backed Boston Dynamics, is taking a dog for a walk.

Boston Dynamics on Wednesday released a video of Spot, which it said has been trained with the help of Google’s Gemini AI. In the video, the robot uses its onboard cameras and AI system to read and interpret a handwritten to-do list on a board, and proceeds to carry out tasks itself, such as tidying scattered shoes by the entrance, picking up empty cans and disposing of them, placing clothes into a laundry basket, and even checking a mousetrap beneath furniture.

[HYUNDAI MOTOR]

For the "walk the dog” task, Spot heads outside, takes hold of a leash, and proceeds to walk a dog. The video closes with a playful moment in the snow, where Spot attempts to initiate a game of fetch, only to be met with an unresponsive dog, ending in a quiet standoff.

In a separate video, Spot is shown performing enhanced supervisory and inspection roles in a real industrial setting such as demonstrating its ability to interpret on-site data and deliver actionable insights. The robot detects pooled water on the floor and issues an alert, while also responding to commands to locate a gauge and check temperature.

Boston Dynamics in January announced a partnership with Google to apply Gemini AI into its robot lineups, which also include Atlas, the humanoid robot, at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.

[HYUNDAI MOTOR]

The robotics firm will also partner with Google DeepMind for further research on AI models for complex robotic control to accelerate the safe and efficient deployment of humanoid robots with tangible real-world applications.

Hyundai Motor plans to build a robotics factory in the United States, which will have the capacity to produce around 30,000 units. Atlas, which was first deployed at Hyundai's Georgia plant for a field trial last year, is slated for full deployment in 2028.

BY SARAH CHEA [[email protected]]