Boston Dynamics, a leader in advanced robotics, has announced the debut of an all-electric version of its iconic Atlas humanoid robot. The new Atlas, designed for commercialization, marks a significant evolution from the previous hydraulic model that has been in development for 15 years.
The next-generation Atlas builds upon decades of research and furthers Boston Dynamics' commitment to delivering highly capable and useful mobile robots. The company has learned numerous lessons from commercializing its other robots, such as Spot and Stretch, which have helped enhance the new Atlas.
The electric Atlas features several key improvements, including a smaller form factor, more sensors, and enhanced AI training. The robot's impressive capabilities have been showcased through demonstrations of parkour, dancing, and navigating mock construction sites while manipulating tools and materials.
Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter emphasized the importance of AI and the company's Orbit fleet management software in enabling reliable and autonomous behaviors in the new Atlas. The Orbit system, initially developed for indoor deployments of Spot, will help supervise and manage fleets of Atlas robots as well.
Safety and autonomy are crucial building blocks for the electric Atlas. The robot is designed to work in spaces alongside people, setting a higher bar for safety compared to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Boston Dynamics has considered safe collaboration in the development of the new Atlas, incorporating advanced, functionally safe remote vision and onboard systems.
The company welcomes the growing competition in the humanoid robotics space, which includes rivals such as Agility Robotics' Digit, Tesla's Optimus, and Figure AI's Figure 01. Playter believes that practical design and proper implementation of AI will help differentiate robots rather than focusing solely on making them more human-like.
Boston Dynamics plans to begin testing the all-electric Atlas with parent company Hyundai and select partners next year, initially focusing on applications in automotive production. The company sees robots in the workplace as an evolution, with each product in the series informing the launch of the next.
The debut of the electric Atlas marks a significant milestone in the advancement of humanoid robotics and showcases Boston Dynamics' commitment to delivering innovative and practical solutions for the future of robotics.
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