Next robot →

LS3 (Legged Squad Support System)

Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA/USMC · 2012 · All Boston Dynamics robots

Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA/USMC LS3 (Legged Squad Support System) (1)Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA/USMC LS3 (Legged Squad Support System) (2)
Not for sale
Not for sale (research)Military mule180 kg payloadShelved
Not for saleShipping: N/A.
LEARN MORE (Wikipedia) ↗

Overview

BigDog's larger successor, built to carry 180 kg of squad gear and follow Marines autonomously. Field trials in 2014 showed capability, but the Marine Corps shelved it in late 2015 citing noise, repair difficulty and integration problems. It marked the end of Boston Dynamics' hydraulic quadrupeds and the pivot to electric Spot.

At a glance
Type
Quadruped robot · Research & legacy platforms
Maker
Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA/USMC
Released
2012
Price
Not for sale
Status
Not for sale (research)
Best for
Professionals & labs
Programming
No programmability

Price and shipping

~$42M program (2010–2015).

Shipping: N/A. Never sold. Placed in storage in 2015.

Specifications

CategoryQuadrupeds · Research & legacy platforms
Released2012
CountryUSA
AvailabilityNot for sale (research)
Sales2 prototypes shown in a DARPA capability demonstration (2012, estimate) Wikipedia ↗
ProgrammabilityNo programmability
Built-in autonomyNavigates · Goes to places on its own, such as mapped rooms, waypoints or its charging dock
LLM supportNone · No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one.
Best forProfessionals & labs
Vision sensorsLidar, Camera, Depth camera
ActuatorsHydraulic / pneumatic
AudioMicrophone
Compute typeProprietary / undisclosed
ComputeNot published
Weight~362 kg (800 lb)
SpeedUp to ~3 m/s (7 mph) on flat ground
DOFNot published (hydraulic)
SensorsLidar, stereo cameras, GPS, follow-the-leader and voice commands
SDKNone

Common questions

How much does LS3 cost?

Not for sale. ~$42M program (2010–2015).

Can LS3 be bought today?

No. It was never sold to the public.

Who makes LS3?

LS3 is made by Boston Dynamics (US) for DARPA/USMC. It came out in 2012.

Can LS3 be programmed?

No programmability.

Does LS3 have AI chat or LLM support?

None. No built-in LLM and no SDK to connect one.

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 saleLittleDogBoston Dynamics (US) for DARPANot for saleMIT Mini CheetahMIT Biomimetic Robotics Lab (US)Not for sale

Image credits