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Katy Perry Turns Spot the Robot Dog Into a Video Vixen With “When I’m Gone” Release

If you believe a Rise of the Machines-type of scenario is likely in the distant or near future, this isn’t for you. Spot, the robot dog from Boston Dynamics, is now officially a video vixen, and it’s all thanks to pop star Katy Perry.
Katy Perry and Spot share the spotlight in the When I'm Gone music video 6 photos
Photo: YouTube / Katy Perry
Katy Perry and Spot share the spotlight in the When I'm Gone music videoKaty Perry and Spot share the spotlight in the When I'm Gone music videoKaty Perry and Spot share the spotlight in the When I'm Gone music videoKaty Perry and Spot share the spotlight in the When I'm Gone music videoKaty Perry and Spot share the spotlight in the When I'm Gone music video
Boston Dynamics makes a variety of robots, but Spot is arguably the most famous. In the years since it was introduced, it has enjoyed a great work experience, ranging from training with the military to working at the Ford factory, herding sheep, doubling as a walking thermometer, picking up dirty socks off the floor, doing dance-offs with Mick Jagger and other Boston Dynamics robots, you name it.

Spot is versatile and, even though it’s often described as a headless robot dog, it apparently has a face that the public loves. As such, it’s a perfect fit for the job of video vixen.

Why show off a fancy car, when every other entertainer does it too? This must have been the thought in Katy Perry and director Hannah Lux Davis’ mind, when it came to setting up the video for her collab with DJ Alesso, “When I’m Gone.” So, instead of a car, they chose Spot, shining a spotlight on the four-legged robot that can dance but, based on the second video below, wasn’t actually given the chance to prove it.

The official video is available at the bottom of the page. The single was released in full right before New Year’s Eve and is already climbing international charts. The video is set in the future and loosely tells the story of femme fatale Katy who may or may not be a virtual character, but clearly lives rent-free in her ex’s mind. Spot is her companion and, at one point, he gets to show off his dance moves. Sort of.

Spot was on lease from Loupe, a distributor for B&R Industrial Automation in California. The second video below is from Loupe, showing how Spot trained to learn the choreography from the video. It’s a shame that footage of it never made the cut in the final video, because we all know Spot can dance its non-existent butt off.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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