ИТМО и MerkleBot: Boston Dynamics Spot SDK Education

Main articles:

• Robots (robotics)
• Evidence-based programming
• Logical programming

2021: Development of a service for remote rental of the Boston Dynamics Spot robot

Specialists ITMO University startup MerkleBot and developed the Boston Dynamics Spot SDK Education service, which allows you to rent robot a tank from anywhere in the world Spot от Boston Dynamics and practice skills in the field and on it. programming robotics The solution includes the ability to remotely connect to Spot, online meetings with experts, as well as a set of online lessons for working with the device. This was announced by ITMO on November 17, 2021.

This service is a remote laboratory where you can work with the Spot robot, even if it is located in Silicon Valley, and the user is in St. Petersburg. Interaction with the device takes place using a special interface for using Spot, which Boston Dynamics provides access to. Spot API allows you to control the robot: change its speed, position, ensure contact with objects, create a route for movement in different conditions. Also, with its help, you can develop and check your own program code on the robot. Each stage of work with Spot is explained in detail in video lessons prepared by ITMO scientists.

We already have experience in providing remote access to complex robotic devices, including unmanned aerial vehicles. Now developers from around the world have the opportunity to practice with a robot dog from a representative of the Boston Dynamics market. When solving tasks, users will receive certificates that allow you to track the entire chain of activities with Spot. Thus, employers will be able to assess the level of training of potential employees, "said Alexander Kapitonov, one of the team members, dean of the ITMO information and communication technologies faculty.

The creators of the service are confident that it will help universities and companies keep up with market leaders. After all, in order to buy a particular equipment, install it, learn to work with it, it may take several years. During this time, it may become irrelevant. The service solves this problem and allows you to learn new tools much more efficiently, faster. At ITMO University, it is already actively used in educational programs in robotics and programming. So, the Boston Dynamics Spot SDK Education access token can be obtained by every student who unusually solves additional tasks on the course.

Working with Spot, I learned the basics of the Spot SDK, a tool kit for developing a robot. On the site where you can rent a robot, there are lessons and the necessary documentation, and the team of experts who are present at the online meeting explains if something is not clear, and monitors the performance of the robot. I'm thrilled to learn. This is a great chance to find out what awaits us in the future, and learn to work with such equipment in the first year of university, "said Vladislav Gaas, a student of the ITMO Robotics and Artificial Intelligence educational program.