Scent-detecting robot dog concept thankfully looks nothing like Spot

Thanks to Boston Dynamics and the popularity of its designs, people may have a specific image when they hear about robot dogs, and it isn’t always a flattering one. Granted, some of Spot’s more recent descendants are less unnerving, even bordering on being cute, but the headless variety is probably imprinted on people’s consciousness, for better or worse. This concept, in contrast, might call itself a robot dog, but it doesn’t even have four legs like ol’ Spot.

Instead, this airport security robot is focused more on replicating the behavior and capabilities of its furry counterparts, particularly when it comes to detecting illegal substances. With advanced functionality and a more streamlined appearance, the design focuses more on how the robot can be better integrated into airports and public spaces without causing too much of a distraction or being the center of attraction.

Designer: Minseok Bae

Dogs are excellent sniffers, at least when they’re at their best. Just like humans, however, their uncanny canine abilities dwindle over the course of the day and can be affected by other factors. They can even be thrown off the scent, especially in very crowded places like airports. Even worse, their own safety is at risk when inhaling substances that might be more harmful to dogs than they are to humans.

SNIFF is a concept of a robot dog that actually doesn’t look much like a dog. Its main purpose is to help improve airport security by using advanced sensors and AI to better detect illegal substances going through the area. Yes, it could very well replace detection dogs at least in this particular job, but there are places and situations where K-9 units are better off handling than in a high-traffic, high-stress environment like an airport.

What makes SNIFF’s design notable is that while it tries to emulate certain canine behaviors, it doesn’t attempt to look like one. It’s designed for efficiency rather than demonstrating some advanced robotics features, like climbing up or down stairs when it doesn’t really need to in an airport. It can detach from wall-mounted wireless chargers and roll out where it’s needed. It can also make turns more quickly than a robot quadruped that has to try to balance itself at every step.

SNIFF is admittedly not much to look at once the novelty has worn off, which is actually an advantage in this case. It won’t cause a spectacle or draw crowds that would prevent it from doing its job properly. Just like those hospitality or assistive robots on wheels, people will learn to simply ignore the robot or stay out of its way to let it sniff their belongings in a non-intrusive manner.

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