Leaping around an obstacle course and pulling off backflips, this eerily human-like robot is only too happy to show off its parkour skills.
Named Atlas, the humanoid was filmed by Boston Dynamics — the firm behind the famous robotic dog Spot.
The incredible footage shows the two-legged robot impressively maintaining its balance as it takes on a series of jumps, vaults and balance beams.
They were set up by Boston Dynamics engineers to experiment with new behaviours for Atlas, as well as developing its whole-body athletics through a variety of rapidly changing, high-energy activities.
Acrobatic: Leaping around an obstacle course and pulling off backflips, this eerily human-like robot is only to happy to show off its parkour skills
Named Atlas, the humanoid was filmed by Boston Dynamics — the firm behind the famous robotic dog Spot
Incredible footage shows the two-legged robot impressively maintaining its balance as it takes on a series of jumps, vaults and balance beams
Boston Dynamics engineers created the obstacle course to develop Atlas’ whole-body athletics through a variety of rapidly changing, high-energy activities
The humanoid, which was first unveiled to the public in July 2013, measures 1.5m (4.9ft) tall and weighs 75kg (11.8st).
According to Boston Dynamics, Atlas is a ‘high mobility, humanoid robot designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain’. It is aimed specifically at helping emergency services in search and rescue operations.
The company, which is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, has previously released similar videos of Atlas taking on parkour, jogging around a grassy field and leaping over logs.
Spot, on the other hand, has been filmed pulling off some very impressive dance moves, and even challenged K-pop boy band BTS to a dance-off earlier this year.
The nimble, four-legged robotic dog was announced by Boston Dynamics back in 2016 but was under development by the firm for years before being released commercially on June 17, 2020.
The humanoid, which was first unveiled to the public in July 2013, measures 1.5m (4.9ft) tall and weighs 75kg (11.8st)
According to Boston Dynamics, Atlas is a ‘high mobility, humanoid robot designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain’
Atlas is aimed specifically at helping emergency services in search and rescue operations
The latest video with Atlas is aimed at testing the humanoid’s limits and developing ‘the next generation of mobility, perception, and athletic intelligence’, Boston Dynamics said
Spot has specifically been designed for business use – in fact, when a business buys a Spot unit, they have to acknowledge a stipulation in the terms and conditions that ‘it’s not certified safe for in-home use or intended for use near children’.
It can undertake hazardous tasks in a variety of inhospitable environments such as nuclear plants, offshore oil fields and construction sites.
Boston Dynamics’ technology is probably best known for inspiring a standout episode of Charlie Brooker’s dystopian Netflix series ‘Black Mirror’.
In the 2017 episode, called ‘Metalhead’, people in the near future flee from an army of robotic dogs that ruthlessly hunt down humans.
But not to worry – Boston Dynamics has insisted that it will not support uses of Atlas or Spot that ‘harm or intimidate’ people.
Its latest video with Atlas is aimed at testing the humanoid’s limits and developing ‘the next generation of mobility, perception, and athletic intelligence’.
Spot, on the other hand, has been filmed pulling off some very impressive dance moves, and even challenged K-pop boy band BTS to a dance-off earlier this year (pictured)
Seven units of the robotic dog Spot were filmed performing a variety of impressive moves
WHAT IS BOSTON DYNAMICS’ ATLAS HUMANOID ROBOT?
Atlas the most human-like robot in Boston Dynamic’s line-up.
It was first unveiled to the public on 11 July 11 2013.
According to the company, Atlas is a ‘high mobility, humanoid robot designed to negotiate outdoor, rough terrain’.
Atlas measures 1.5m (4.9ft) tall and weighs 75kg (11.8st).
The humanoid walks on two legs, leaving its arms free to lift, carry, and manipulate objects in its environment.
Atlas is able to hold its balance when it is jostled or pushed by an external force. Should it fall over, the humanoid robot is capable of getting up again on its own
Stereo vision, range sensing and other sensors allow Atlas to walk across rough terrain and keep its balance.
‘In extremely challenging terrain, Atlas is strong and coordinated enough to climb using hands and feet, to pick its way through congested spaces,’ Boston Dynamics claims.
Atlas is able to hold its balance when it is jostled or pushed.
If the humanoid robot should fall over, it can get up on its own.
Atlas is designed to help emergency services in search and rescue operations.
The robot will be used to shut-off valves, opening doors and operate powered equipment in environments where human rescuers could not survive.
The US Department of Defence said it has no interest in using Atlas in warfare.
Atlas is capable of —
- Standing up after falling over
- Running
- Balancing on a narrow beam
- Cleaning, including vacuuming and sweeping
- Karate kick
- Throwing a paper aeroplane
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