---
title: "Scientists Send Boston Dynamics Robodog Into Chernobyl"
description: "A dog made by Boston Dynamics, Spot, was sent to the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant last week. Learn more about the robodogs tasks at the site."
date: "2020-10-26"
modified: "2020-11-04"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-send-boston-dynamics-robodog-into-chernobyl"
categories:
  - "Boston Dynamics"
  - "Robot Dogs"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "boston dynamics"
  - "chernobyl"
  - "spot"
  - "the digest"
---

# Scientists Send Boston Dynamics Robodog Into Chernobyl

![A team of engineers from the University of Bristol visited the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant last week to test out Spot, a four-legged robodog.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/scientists-send-boston-dynamics-robodog-chernobyl.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: ChNPP\</em\>*

## Radioactive Spot

A team of engineers from the University of Bristol visited the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant last week to test out [Spot](<https://futurism.com/tags/spot>), a four-legged robodog made by US-based robotics company Boston Dynamics, [according to Ukrainian broadcaster *Ukrinform*](<https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-technology/3122689-robotpes-vid-boston-dynamics-zamirav-radiaciu-u-zoni-vidcuzenna.html>).

Spot is capable of making inspection rounds all by itself and can navigate hostile environments such as the highly radioactive site of the former nuclear power plant.

https://youtu.be/PEgCZLvfgX8

## Nuka Stroller

Spot went for a walk around the surrounding areas and into the New Safe Confinement structure, a [massive moveable dome](<https://futurism.com/chernobyl-is-now-covered-by-the-largest-moveable-land-based-structure-ever-built>) of steel meant to keep in dangerous radiation from the plant's number 4 reactor unit, which was destroyed during the 1986 disaster.

The robot's main task was to survey levels of radiation in the area, creating a three-dimensional map of the distribution.

During the same exercise, the team from Bristol University also tested out drones and remotely operated sensors and scanners, according to *Ukrinform*.

Last year, University of Bristol researchers visited the site to carry out the [first ever done-based mapping survey](<https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2019/april/chernobyl-drones-.html>) of the "Red Forest," a four square mile wooded area surrounding the Chernobyl power plant.

**READ MORE:** [Boston Dynamics’ dog-like robot spotted in Chernobyl](<https://defence-blog.com/news/army/boston-dynamics-dog-like-robot-spotted-in-chernobyl.html>) \[*Defence Blog*\]

**More on Spot:** *[Oh No: Boston Dynamics Will Start Selling Arms For Its Robodogs](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/boston-dynamics-selling-arms-robodogs>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)