Boston Dynamics has unveiled an all-new electric version of its humanoid robot called Atlas. The hydraulic version of Atlas officially retired on April 16. In a blog post, the company said that the electric version of Atlas will be stronger, with a broader range of motion than any of the previous generations of humanoid robots.
The company claims that the electric Atlas will move in ways that “exceed human capabilities”. “We designed the electric version of Atlas to be stronger, more dexterous, and more agile. Atlas may resemble a human form factor, but we are equipping the robot to move in the most efficient way possible to complete a task, rather than being constrained by a human range of motion,” said the company in the blog post.
What can the new Atlas do?
In a YouTube teaser showcasing the all-new Atlas’ capabilities, one can see that the robot is extremely flexible. It can do cartwheels, backflips and has a more fluid range of motion. The sleek design of the new Atlas replaces the bulky appearance of earlier models. The robot looks far more streamlined as the form factor is devoid of any exposed cables.
According to a report by Tech Crunch, Boston Dynamics’ CEO, Robert Playter, emphasised the company’s commitment to not just creating an impressive R&D project but delivering a valuable solution that meets real-world needs. Playter told Tech Crunch that the electric Atlas will begin pilot testing at Hyundai facilities next year. “We’re going to be doing experiments with Hyundai on-site, beginning next year,” Playter told Tech Crunch. “To make this successful, you have to have a lot more than just cool tech. You really have to understand that use case, you’ve got to have sufficient productivity to make investment in a robot worthwhile,” Playter added.
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