Boston Dynamics robots dance to ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ for ‘America’s Got Talent’ audition

A dance crew of four-legged robots from Boston Dynamics performed a synchronized routine to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” on “America’s Got Talent,” earning four “yes” votes from the judges despite one robot shutting down mid-performance. Judge Simon Cowell remarked that the malfunction actually highlighted the difficulty of the routine, providing a more authentic view of the technology’s challenges. This moment contrasted with Boston Dynamics’ previous efforts to present their robots as flawless, showcasing instead the complexity and limits of robotic engineering. Boston Dynamics has historically been secretive about their robots’ failures, but recent openness about mishaps—such as their Atlas robots falling during parkour—reflects the reality of pushing robotic capabilities to the edge. The imperfect performance on national television may ultimately be more memorable and insightful than a flawless but less relatable display, emphasizing both the progress and ongoing challenges in robotics development.