Boston Dynamics Robots Stumble During "America's Got Talent" Audition, Earn 4 "Yes" Votes

Boston Dynamics robots performed a synchronized dance to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" on "America's Got Talent," impressing judges with their performance, despite one robot shutting down mid-routine. The performance highlighted the limitations of the robots and contrasted with the company's previous image of perfect, futuristic beings. The imperfect performance may be more memorable than a perfectly executed dance.

Boston Dynamics' robots made a splash on "America's Got Talent" when they performed a synchronized dance routine to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now." Despite one robot shutting down mid-routine, the performance showcased the company's technological prowess and the challenges it faces in perfecting its robots. This incident contrasts with the company's previous image of flawless, futuristic machines and may prove more memorable than a perfectly executed dance.

The robots, developed by Hyundai Motor-backed Boston Dynamics, received four "yes" votes from the judges, despite one of the five robots experiencing technical difficulties. Judge Simon Cowell noted that the robots' imperfect performance was "weirdly better" because it highlighted the difficulty of their tasks [1]. This perspective aligns with Boston Dynamics' own acknowledgment that pushing robots to their limits can lead to failures, as seen in past videos of their Atlas robots losing balance during parkour [1].

The robots' performance also underscores the potential of Boston Dynamics' technology. Hyundai's acquisition of 80% of the company in 2021 has led to significant advancements in robotics, with Hyundai aiming to sell mass-produced humanoids controlled by AI as early as 2028 [3]. The robots' ability to perform complex tasks, despite technical setbacks, indicates the progress made in the field of robotics.

The incident on "America's Got Talent" also highlights the potential for robots in various industries. Hyundai's Spot robots, for example, are used as roving site inspectors, while Atlas can perform tasks like crawling, tumbling, and even break dancing [3]. The U.S. Secret Service has deployed Spot to patrol the grounds of Mar-a-Lago, and global shipping company DHL has agreed to buy a thousand Stretch robots for package handling [3].

In conclusion, Boston Dynamics' robots' performance on "America's Got Talent" showcased the company's technological advancements and the challenges it faces in perfecting its robots. The incident also highlights the potential of robotics in various industries and the progress made in the field.

References:
[1] https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/13/boston-dynamics-robots-dance-to-dont-stop-me-now-for-americas-got-talent-audition/
[2] https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10507753
[3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2025/06/12/how-south-koreas-chaebols-are-pushing-the-robotics-revolution/