#Ford unleashes robot dog to update factory

The automaker is using a robot “dog’ built by Boston Dynamics to help update its Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich.

“Fluffy” has been equipped with a four-camera scanning device that will create a 3D map of the facility and all of its equipment, to help engineers when they need to redesign it to build new products.

The 70-pound quadruped can climb stairs and fit into tight spots that a wheeled platform could not reach.

Ford digital engineering manager Mark Goderis said the process usually requires a human to move a tripod around, then wait five minutes at each spot for the scan to be completed.

Fluffy is capable of walking around for two hours at a time at up to 3 mph, and can crouch or stretch to give the cameras a better view, all while under the control of a remote operator.

Goderis said a typical scanning job can take up to two weeks at a cost of $300,000, but that Fluffy will help cut that in half at a fraction of the cost, not revealing exactly how much that is.

Paula Wiebelhaus, Fluffy’s handler, navigates Fluffy, the dog-like robot through tough-to-reach areas within the plant. Ford is tapping four-legged robots at its Van Dyke Transmission Plant in early August to laser scan the plant, helping engineers update the original computer-aided design.

Ford

Fluffy navigates the plant with a high-tech laser scanner on his back, allowing him to scan Ford’s facilities.

Ford

Fluffy navigates through the plant, interacting safely with employees. Ford is tapping four-legged robots at its Van Dyke Transmission Plant in early August to laser scan the plant, helping engineers update the original computer-aided design.

Ford

Paula Wiebelhaus, Fluffy’s handler, controls her robot through a gaming-like device that allows her to remotely see the camera view.

Ford

Fluffy, the doglike robot, takes a break from laser scanning Ford facilities.

Ford

Fluffy looks at Scouter, an Autonomous Mobile Robot that can autonomously navigate facilities while scanning and capturing 3-D point clouds to generate a CAD of the facility. If an area is too tight for Scouter, Fluffy comes to the rescue.

Ford

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Boston Dynamics sells the devices for $74,500, which is around the same price as a Ford Mustang GT500, but Ford is leasing Fluffy and a second unit nicknamed “Spot” for a year.

According to the latest UAW contract, Ford is investing $400 million in the factory to build new transmissions, transaxles and electric motors.