Chinese robotics firm Hengbot has unveiled Sparky, a robot dog so small it fits in your palm, capable of everything from dancing to executing commands.
A New Era for Desktop Robotics?
Robotics technology has advanced to levels previously seen only in science fiction films. We’re consistently seeing more impressive robots, and now, a brand-new robot dog, Sparky, has been introduced in China.
This miniature robot dog, named Sparky, features a compact design, fluid movements, and intelligent interaction capabilities. While its small size makes it somewhat endearing, it also has a subtly uncanny aspect. Sparky was developed by Hengbot and is described as a customizable, ultralight companion built for entertainment and development. Weighing only 850 grams, it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, potentially ushering in a new era for desktop robotics technologies.
Impressive Agility and Interactive Features
This tiny four-legged friend boasts 14 degrees of freedom, enabling impressive movement capabilities such as walking, jumping, and even dancing. While such movements are common in larger quadrupedal robots, their presence in such a small robot is truly remarkable. Its bionic joint structure allows it to mimic natural movements.
Sparky also features a customizable exterior, meaning you can personalize its look much like changing a phone case. Beyond movement, its interactive features stand out. It can understand and respond to commands through multiple control supports, including a dedicated app, remote control, and AR/VR interfaces. It even has a microphone and camera system that allows it to perceive and react to its surroundings, incorporating virtually everything you’d expect in a robot.
Technical Specifications and Availability
Delving into its technical details, Sparky includes a touch sensor, camera, screen, SD card slot, USB port, and customizable buttons on its “ears.” It’s also expected to offer a working time of over 45 minutes and come with a load capacity of 300 grams. Sparky runs on Linux and supports C, C++, and Python programming, making it a versatile platform for developers.
Sparky, which was also showcased at CES 2025 in January, is expected to be released around May or June, according to the company. Its price has not yet been announced, but estimates suggest it will be between $500 and $600.
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