Boston Dynamics.

Buy if unloading is 30%+ of dock labor and trailers move daily. Unloads 600–800 cases per hour with 16-hour battery life; payback likely 18–36 months at scale. Skip if floor is uneven, dock infrastructure won't integrate quickly, or you need multi-task flexibility.

Spot has matured from viral sensation into the de facto standard for industrial quadruped inspection, with over 1,500 robots in customer hands and expanding autonomy via AI. At $74,500–$195,000 configured, it remains capital-intensive for small operators, but large enterprises justify the cost through predictive maintenance, hazardous-site access, and fleet-scale economies.

Buy if you operate multi-shift automotive or heavy-duty warehouse lines with 50+ kg parts; two-shift replacement needed for payback. Skip if you lack capital for 2027+ access or cannot commit to retraining. Maintenance cost unknown; conservative budget 15% annually.