This week the announcement that Boston Dynamics was withdrawing Atlas, its humanoid robot capable of dancing and performing acrobatic pirouettes, caused a great impact. But it was finally learned that, in reality, that version will be replaced by a completely electric one.
Thus, the firm leaves the hydraulic version behind to opt for an advanced platform that offers more power. The new Atlas is designed to carry out tasks more efficiently and without the limitations that a human being has.
In this advance, the new Atlas is not alone, since it shares this characteristic with other machines, such as the Optimus from Tesla or Digit V4 from Agility Robotics. The new version of the robot, according to the company, will arrive with multiple advantages.
“We designed the electric version of the Atlas to be stronger, more dexterous and more agile,” the company explained in a blog post.
Atlas’ overall design has been heavily modified, with a new head equipped with a ring of LED lights surrounding its sight.
The firm explained that they became important advances in software with new artificial intelligence and machine learning tools that are already present not only in this Atlas, but in many other Boston Dynamics robots.
The new generation of Atlas will leave testing in closed environments behind. Boston Dynamics announced that it, along with Hyundai and other partners, will have access to its robot, allowing it to test and iterate Atlas applications for years to come.
“We’re excited to show what the world’s most dynamic humanoid robot can really do: in the lab, in the factory, and in our lives.”
Atlas’ announcement is accompanied by a short video showing some of its features. The robot can easily get up from the floor by simply flexing its legs and has multiple axes of rotation that allow it to move in all directions.
“Atlas may resemble a human form factor, but we are equipping the robot to move as efficiently as possible to complete a task, rather than being limited by a human range of motion.”
What Atlas is like, the new Boston Dynamics robot
The new electric platform offers a stylized design with a new hull. Atlas left behind the peculiar backpack, the external cables and its tiny head with cameras and sensors.
Atlas has throughout this time been a development and research platform that aimed to explore the potential of the human form factor. Significant advances were sought to lay the foundation for a future generation of robots, but Atlas was never a commercial product like the Spot robot dog.
The Hyundai-owned firm assured that Atlas will follow the same testing and iteration procedure as other robots such as Spot y Stretch to test your applications for a future commercial release.
To increase its capabilities, Boston Dynamics is exploring new territories, such as the inclusion of new grippers to expand the range of possibilities around the handling needs that customers expect.