“Spot”, funny robot-dog watching the wreckage of Pompeii – rts.ch

Called the “spot”, this slender-walking friendly animal was not afraid of the heavy rains that hit Italy this week. Children who watch it with interest, already seem to adore it and prefer it to the remnants of ancient Rome.

His goal? “Safety requirements for site monitoring and protection, especially underground structures, have not been met (Staff, Teacher Note), As the site has many narrow and dangerous tunnels “, explains German site director Gabriel Zuchtriegel proudly to AFP.Site Manager Gabriel Zuchtriegel and “Spot” Robot. [ANDREAS SOLARO – AFP]

Archaeological site The remains of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, south of Naples, were buried during the Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD. It’s full of easily accessible tunnels or holes, which makes the little “spot” help in black and yellow so invaluable.

Telepathy

The size of the Golden Retriever, which is controlled remotely using a tablet, was shown by Valerio Brunelli, an employee of Leica Geosystems, the company that manages the robot’s research work inside Pompeii.

Because it is placed a few meters behind the “spot”, the “spot” can automatically avoid obstacles, but its operator can run it anywhere on the site. Nevertheless, he needs to be careful when walking: “No one wants to get his 70kg on foot”, Valerio mocks Brunelli.

“Concentration of Technology”

“‘Spot’ is the concentration of technology that is capable of exploring more complex areas such as those found here.Like a drone, author note) It allows you to record your environment in 3D, “he underlines.

This scanner makes it possible to get site plans in three dimensions and in real time. For example, the “spot” was used to explore an old tunnel two kilometers long, with its old wind and the risk of collapse being too dangerous for human exploration.

A robot on a fixed-term contract

“I’m very confident that Pompey will get this, it’s a leap in the future for a millennial site,” Valerio wants to convince Brunelli.

Because, at this point, even though he has already become a tourist symbol, “Spot” has only won one CDT. “In the field of technology, there are such rapid changes that sometimes buying is not so profitable. We still have to make a decision,” said Pompeii director angrily.

More than 70,000 francs

“The ‘spot’ is not going to change people, it’s not the goal. This kind of tool wants to make the work of the men and women who work here easier,” he adds.

The “spot” technology was developed by the American company Boston Dynamics, which specializes in robotics, especially in the military. The price of the “spot” is about 70,000 euros (73,000 francs), which is not in everyone’s hands.

ats / vajo