Next robot →

LittleDog

Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA · 2005 · All Boston Dynamics robots

Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA LittleDog (1)Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA LittleDog (2)
Not for sale
Not for sale (research)DARPARough-terrain learningResearch
Not for saleShipping: N/A.
LEARN MORE (Wikipedia) ↗

Overview

A small electric quadruped Boston Dynamics built as a standard platform for DARPA's Learning Locomotion program, used at MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, USC, Penn and IHMC to study rough-terrain walking. Lithium-polymer batteries gave about 30 minutes of continuous operation. Much early work on footstep planning and learned locomotion used it. Never commercially sold.

At a glance
Type
Quadruped robot · Research & legacy platforms
Maker
Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA
Released
2005
Price
Not for sale
Status
Not for sale (research)
Best for
Professionals & labs
Programming
Full SDK

Price and shipping

Loaned to DARPA Learning Locomotion teams.

Shipping: N/A. Never sold. Units were maintained for DARPA research teams.

Specifications

CategoryQuadrupeds · Research & legacy platforms
Released2005
CountryUSA
AvailabilityNot for sale (research)
SalesFleet of 12 built for DARPA research teams, never sold International Journal of Robotics Research ↗
ProgrammabilityFull SDK
Built-in autonomyNavigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock
LLM supportPossible via SDK · No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.
MuJoCo simulationCommunity model · Only a third-party URDF from MIT's Drake examples exists. RobotLocomotion/LittleDog ↗
NVIDIA Isaac simulationCommunity model · Only a third-party URDF from MIT's Drake examples exists. RobotLocomotion/LittleDog ↗
Gazebo simulationCommunity model · Only a third-party URDF from MIT's Drake examples exists. RobotLocomotion/LittleDog ↗
Best forProfessionals & labs
Vision sensorsNo vision sensors
ActuatorsUnknown
AudioNo audio
Compute typex86 PC (Intel / AMD), Laptop / PC as the brain
ComputeOnboard PC-class computer, offboard control via Boston Dynamics Robot API
WeightNot published (est. ~2.5 kg)
SpeedNot published
DOF12 electric
SensorsJoint angles, motor currents, body orientation (IMU) and foot/ground contact, motion capture used in trials
SDKBoston Dynamics Robot API (research teams only)

Common questions

How much does LittleDog cost?

Not for sale. Loaned to DARPA Learning Locomotion teams.

Can LittleDog be bought today?

No. It was never sold to the public.

Who makes LittleDog?

LittleDog is made by Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA. It came out in 2005.

Can LittleDog be programmed?

Full SDK. Boston Dynamics Robot API (research teams only).

Does LittleDog have AI chat or LLM support?

Possible via SDK. No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.

Ratings & reviews

Related guides

Similar robots

Stanford DoggoStanford Student Robotics (Extreme Mobility team)Not for saleLaikago / Laikago ProUnitree Robotics (China)Was quote-onlySwiss-Mile / RIVR wheeled-legged robotSwiss-Mile, now RIVR (Switzerland)Not for saleBigDogBoston Dynamics (US) for DARPANot for saleLS3 (Legged Squad Support System)Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA/USMCNot for saleMIT Mini CheetahMIT Biomimetic Robotics Lab (US)Not for sale

Image credits