Boston Dynamics has unveiled an electric humanoid robot called Atlas

Boston Dynamics

Only yesterday Boston Dynamics sent the humanoid robot Atlas to "retirement", but just one day later the company presented its successor - an all-electric Atlas!

Here's What We Know

The updated model is noticeably different from the previous hydraulic prototypes both externally and in terms of technical characteristics. The key change was the switch to an electric propulsion system instead of the bulky hydraulic system.

This allowed to make the robot lighter and more graceful - the massive torso and bent legs disappeared, and instead there is an elegant mechanical frame, hiding all the "stuffing". The design of the robot's head has also become softer and smoother, giving it a more friendly and open look.

According to the head of Boston Dynamics Robert Playter, the new Atlas has an impressive range of motion and strength, in many ways exceeding the capabilities of humans. The developers have endowed it with "hands" with three advanced fingers, characterised by high reliability and adaptability. This will allow the robot to solve a wide range of tasks for manipulating objects.

The first pilot tests of the electric Atlas are scheduled for next year at the production sites of Hyundai - the main owner of Boston Dynamics. It is expected that mass production of the model will begin in the next few years, opening up new opportunities for the application of humanoid robots in industry.

Atlas robots gained popularity on the internet thanks to viral videos of the humanoids dancing, performing stunts and falling funny. The original hydraulic version was first shown in 2013.

Source: TechCrunch