Google-owned Boston Dynamics has just released a video of the new Atlas robot performing some truly amazing tasks.
The folks at Google-owned Boston Dynamics have done it again. According to a report from the Washington Post, roboticists everywhere are raving about the latest version of Atlas, the human-like robot that can walk, climb, and even lift itself up after it has fallen.
Boston Dynamics recently released a video of the new Atlas robot stomping through a field outside, slipping and wobbling over uneven ground, but never falling. “They’ve set a new bar,” said Georgia Tech robotics professor Aaron Ames. “It’s a huge step towards getting robots that can actually operate in our world in unstructured environments or uneven terrain.”
Making a robot that walks like a human has been the Holy Grail for robotics engineers, and the latest Atlas has come shockingly close to accomplishing this feat. While the video shows the robot taking slow, precarious steps, it could soon lead to a humanoid robot that can accompany people in their everyday lives, performing tasks like cooking, laundry, and providing healthcare.
Roboticist Christ Atkeson from Carnegie Mellon agrees that the new Atlas robot represents a massive step forward in the technology. “We’re turning a corner in making robots better. The great unknown is when are we going to build hands and robot skin that is useful?”
Atlas, which weighs 180 pounds and stands at 5’9” can walk, place boxes on a shelf, open doors, and even stand up once it’s been knocked to the ground. While other robots can perform these tasks individually, Atlas is the first robot that can perform the entire range.
To prove just how tough the new Atlas robot is, a Boston Dynamics employee in the video shoves the robot to the ground, only to watch it stand right back up again. In previous test videos, robots were attached to the ceiling with heavy ropes to prevent damage from falling. The new Atlas is equipped with a sturdy roll cage, meaning it can play rough without being damaged.
Engineers at Boston Dynamics will continue to work on improving the Atlas robot. More information about the Atlas project from Boston Dynamics can be found here.