Researchers taught a robot dog to open a door with its leg

Four legged, dog-inspired robots have grown in popularity among scientists and first responders in recent years thanks to their unique ability to quickly and safely maneuver areas hazardous or inaccessible to humans. Some of those robots, like Boston Dynamics’ Spot, can use large claws and other attachments to help them interact with the world around them. But those additional limbs aren’t always ideal since they add weight and take up extra space, both of which could limit the robo-dog’s effectiveness in tight corridors.