The market for robot dogs is becoming more competitive. Boston Dynamics is suing Ghost Robotics for allegedly infringing on seven patents related to their Spot quadruped, according to The Robot Report. The Spirit 40 and Vision 60 (pictured above) are said to take important technology from Spot, such as self-righting and stair climbing systems.
Boston Dynamics claims that it contacted Ghost Robotics to investigate Spot-related patents in July 2020, five months after the Spirit 40 debuted. Following that, Boston claims to have written two cease-and-desist letters requesting that Ghost quit promoting its robot dogs. According to the complaint, Ghost was fully aware of what it was doing.
Ghost Robotics has been contacted for comment. Boston Dynamics said in a statement that it “welcome[s] competition” but would take action against firms who violate its intellectual property rights. The action seeks unspecified damages from the Hyundai-owned company.
A lawsuit like this is not surprising. Boston Dynamics began as a research organisation, but it has increasingly concentrated on commercializing robots such as Spot and Stretch. Rivals such as Ghost Robotics, whether or not they are stealing technology, might pose a danger to Boston’s still-young firm. Even if the action loses, it may dissuade other corporations from developing their own robot dogs.
