Boston Dynamics has unveiled an upgraded, fully electric version of its Atlas humanoid robot, which is stronger and more flexible than its hydraulic predecessor.
“We promise this is not a person in a bodysuit,” wrote the company in an X post revealing the new model, which may also be referencing an incident in 2018, wherein a seemingly high tech ‘robot’ featured on Russian state TV was discovered to be a man in a robot suit.
Boston Dynamics has been wowing the world with its robotic creations ever since it unveiled its four-legged ‘BigDog’ military robot well over a decade ago. Though that particular model was deemed too noisy for active military service, the company has since refined its quadrupedal machine offering, while also developing a bipedal humanoid ‘Atlas’ line of robots.
We promise this is not a person in a bodysuit. https://t.co/S9FgfpqvrW pic.twitter.com/G30sXHQ93C
— Boston Dynamics (@BostonDynamics) April 17, 2024
The reveal of the new electric Atlas comes one day after the company announced the retirement of the previous generation of hydraulic machines (HD Atlas) with an impressive display of parkour. According to Boston Dynamics, this latest generation of robot will be stronger and more dexterous than its predecessor, while also being capable of travelling with a wider range of movement, which in some ways is unconstrained by its outwardly humanoid form.
This was displayed in the video accompanying the X post, in which the upgraded machine rose from a supine position on the floor with a terrifyingly nimble movement of its legs and hips, before rotating its cyclopian head, squaring up to the camera, and proceeding to walk off screen, with alarming purpose. The spectacle was met with a range of emotions running the emotional gambit from amazed to terrified, with some naturally drawing a comparison to James Cameron’s Terminator.
You guys need to rewatch terminator
— Aaditya Raman (@aadityaraman) April 17, 2024
Animated like a Souls boss intro https://t.co/9rllnNJGEQ
— Jonathan Cooper (@GameAnim) April 17, 2024
we are so screwed https://t.co/vQWlsiEIcs
— JerryRigEverything (@ZacksJerryRig) April 17, 2024
Boston Dynamics is currently exploring the potential of creating a range of new ‘gripper variants’ for the robot’s arms which will allow it to achieve a broader range of tasks when compared to the HD Atlas. Recent years have also seen the company equip its robots with enhanced AI and machine learning tools to help its fleet of robots carry out tasks, and allow them to operate in challenging conditions.
As one of the company’s most significant investors, Hyundai will be the first partner to test the new generation of robot. Moving forward the company hopes to partner with other ‘innovative customers’ with a view to eventually being adopted more widely.
Image credit: Boston Dynamics.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
