Pudu Robotics has just trotted out its latest mechanical marvel, the D5 quadruped, and by Jove, it looks like this ‘industry-grade’ robot dog is itching to give Boston Dynamics a proper run for their money. Gone are the days when Spot had the monopoly on our robot canine affections; the D5 has arrived, paws blazing, ready to carve out its own niche.
Its launch video, a masterclass in robotic showmanship, pulls no punches. We see this metallic mutt scampering up stairs, navigating treacherous industrial terrains, and generally making a mockery of gravity with an uncannily rock-solid stability that would make a seasoned mountaineer blush. Forget your wobbly early prototypes; this thing looks like it was born with its internal gyroscope set to ‘bulletproof’.
But this isn’t just another YouTube sensation in the making. Oh no. Pudu Robotics insists the D5 is built for the gritty realities of industrial inspection and delivery. So, while it might look like it’s auditioning for the next blockbuster sci-fi flick, its real calling is presumably less about internet fame and more about lugging widgets and sniffing out faulty wiring in places humans fear to tread. A proper workhorse, then, albeit one that could probably out-dance your average TikTok influencer.
