Boston Dynamics has reintroduced its iconic humanoid robot, Atlas, with significant improvements.
Just one day after retiring its previous version, the company unveiled the latest iteration of Atlas on Wednesday. This all-electric successor boasts enhanced range of motion, rendering it more capable and, potentially, more intimidating than its predecessors.
For those acquainted with advancements in robotics over the past decade, Boston Dynamics needs no introduction. The company, originating from Waltham, Massachusetts, in the early 1990s, has been at the forefront of robotic innovation, producing cutting-edge designs such as the canine-inspired Spot. However, it is the humanoid Atlas that has truly captured attention, initially conceived for search and rescue operations, showcasing abilities ranging from object manipulation to parkour.
The redesigned Atlas, developed in collaboration with Boston Dynamics’ parent company, Hyundai, retains its humanoid structure but undergoes substantial enhancements. The new version features increased strength, an illuminated head, additional swiveling joints, and transitions to an all-electric power source. In a video accompanying the robot’s debut, Atlas is depicted lifting itself from the ground and advancing toward the camera, with various components of its body in motion, evoking imagery reminiscent of a scene from a sci-fi thriller.
In a statement, the company emphasized the intention to equip the electric Atlas with enhanced strength, dexterity, and agility, surpassing human capabilities. Rather than adhering to human range of motion constraints, the robot is designed to move in the most efficient manner possible to accomplish tasks. This approach aims to optimize Atlas’s functionality across diverse environments.
While the showcased robot represents a work in progress, Boston Dynamics acknowledges that it builds upon insights gleaned from previous iterations of Atlas. Additionally, the company outlines plans for introducing new gripper variations and software upgrades, further enhancing the robot’s utility and adaptability across various applications. A select group of “innovative” clients, including Hyundai, will participate in testing the robot over the coming years to explore its commercial viability.
Though there is ongoing development, the initial glimpse suggests that the new Atlas holds a competitive advantage over its counterparts, including Tesla’s Optimus.
