Boston Dynamics' robotic dog has been put to work delivering packages to people's homes.
The Google-owned firm is well known for its lifelike (read: terrifying) robots, including Spot the four-legged canine-like machine, and at this week's TED2017 conference, its boss revealed Spot has been delivering parcels strapped to its back to employees' front door.
"We've been taking our robot to employees' homes to see whether we could get in the various access ways," said Marc Raibert, founder and chief executive of Boston Dynamics, at the event. "We're doing very well, about 70 per cent of the way."
Boston isn't the first company to try robotics-based deliveries. In November, a rolling bot made by London-based Starship Technologies was used by Just Eat to complete what it claimed to be the world's first takeaway food delivery by robot.
Elsewhere, Boston Dynamics recently showed off its 'nightmare-inducing' Handle robot – a sinister leaping bot that can balance on two wheels – as well as the latest version of its creepy Atlas humanoid, which can ramble over rough terrain with incredible human-like balance. If it does fall down, it can use its hydraulic arms to push itself back up again.
The company also showcased its SpotMini, another four-legged robot that resembles a tiny giraffe when it has its 'arm' attached. This appendage enables the small robot to pick up objects and move them around.