Boston Dynamics' Robots End the Year 2020 with a Showy Performance
Alrighty, y'all! Eight long years have passed since the woeful prophecy of the 2012 Mayan apocalypse. But hey, I think we're slowly but surely getting there, if option #6 in my Why The World Didn't End Yesterday 2012 Post-Apocalypse Information PamphletTM is anything to go by.
Moving on, let's bid adieu to the flops of 2020 and welcome the uncertainties of 2021 with open arms. Boston Dynamics, in a show of festive spirit, whipped up this cracker of a video featuring their state-of-the-art robots grooving to "Do You Love Me?"
These aren't your grandpa's rusty, clanky machines; they've come a long way from the clumsy Big Dog. Trust me, you wouldn't feel a shred of sorrow questioning if it's all CGI-level smooth these bots are.
"Getting into the celebration spirit, we all gathered to toast the start of what we hope will be a brighter year,” they penned in their heartwarming post, "Happy New Year from all of us at Boston Dynamics."
Now, pour yourself a glass of something strong and feel the chills as I recollect this famous quote from Kyle Reese in the 1984 classic, The Terminator:
"Pay attention to the message. That Terminator's out there. Can't be negotiated with. Can't be reasoned with. No sympathy, remorse, or fear. Will. Not. Stop. Ever. Till you're dead.
But hey, it's got some moves, don't you think?"
Boston Dynamics' Evolutionary StrideFrom the bulky, noisy Big Dog of the early 2000s to the svelte, commercially viable robots like Spot, Boston Dynamics have come a long, long way. The difference? Improvements in mobility, intelligence, and practicality, among others.
Take Spot, for instance. Debuted around 2018, it's a far cry from its Big Dog precursor, weighing in at around 70 pounds, quiet, and designed to function in human environments, capable of tasks like opening doors and navigating complex spaces autonomously. Its movements are so smooth and fluid that you might be forgiven for thinking it's all CGI.
Robots RisingIn June 2025, these advanced bots even made their mark on the entertainment scene with a captivating, synchronized dance performance on America’s Got Talent, grooving to Queen’s "Don't Stop Me Now."
And the development doesn't stop there. Continuous improvements in robotic perception and task execution have been showcased in follow-up videos, indicating a robotics era where machines are increasingly taking up residence in our lives with agility and even personality.
So, there you have it! From practical applications to cultural showcases, the robots have not only improved remarkably but have also leapt into new realms, blurring the lines between technology and entertainment, as demonstrated by their memorable dance routines to chart-topping tunes like "Do You Love Me" and "Don't Stop Me Now."
Gadgets such as Boston Dynamics' robots, powered by advancements in technology and artificial-intelligence, have evolved beyond recognition since their early models. In fact, Spot, one of their more recent creations, can execute complex tasks in human environments like opening doors, navigating complex spaces, and even dancing to popular music like "Do You Love Me".
