Trends
What is the Atlas robot?
The retirement of hydraulic Atlas robot and the introduction of electric version is a symbolic tech shift in robotics.
Headline
The retirement of hydraulic Atlas robot and the introduction of electric version is a symbolic tech shift in robotics.
Context
Recently, Boston Dynamics announced the launch of a new electrically-driven robot and officially retired its hydraulic-driven robot, Atlas. This significant move symbolises the leading hydraulic-driven technology company’s transition to electric-driven technology, bringing positive implications for the current mainstream development direction of electric-driven joint technology. Atlas is a bipedal humanoid robot primarily developed by the American robotics company Boston Dynamics, with funding and oversight from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The robot was initially designed for a range of search and rescue tasks and was publicly unveiled on July 11, 2013.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Sandia National Laboratories developed one of Atlas’ hands, while the other was developed by iRobot. In 2013, Gill Pratt, the program manager at DARPA, likened the prototype version of Atlas to a small child, explaining that “a 1-year-old child can barely walk, a 1-year-old child falls down a lot … this is where we are right now.” Also read: Should robots go to space instead of humans? Atlas is the successor to Boston Dynamics’ earlier PETMAN humanoid robot and features blue LED lighting. It comes equipped with two vision systems – a laser rangefinder and stereo cameras – both controlled by an off-board computer. Atlas also possesses hands with fine motor skill capabilities, and its limbs offer a total of 28 degrees of freedom. While the 2013 prototype version relied on an external power supply, Atlas can now navigate challenging terrain and climb independently using its arms and legs. Also read: Paid ChatGPT can remember user preferences
Key Points
- Atlas, a bipedal humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, was initially designed for search and rescue tasks and unveiled in 2013.
- The robot has gone through significant updates and enhancements, including the development of its hands by Sandia National Laboratories and iRobot.
- Boston Dynamics introduced a new fully electric version of Atlas in April 2024, featuring improved motion capabilities and a redesigned appearance.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
