A ROBOT made famous by dancing on YouTube is set to help save lives and cut carbon dioxide emissions by supporting hazardous environment research at the National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

The robot, believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland, is part of the Spot range created by Boston Dynamics. Experts at the National Robotarium, a world-leading research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence, will use the new hardware to carry out research into how robots can support humans in hazardous environments like offshore energy inspection and disaster recovery.

The £60,000 robot will be fitted with “telexistence” technology, which lets humans experience an environment using devices like microphones and cameras to relay sounds and videos.