The landscape of humanoid robots is evolving rapidly, with industry pioneer Boston Dynamics announcing the retirement of its 11-year-old hydraulic humanoid robot, Atlas, on April 16.
In its place, the company unveiled a new, all-electric version of Atlas, boasting increased strength, agility, and dexterity, tailored more towards everyday applications compared to its search and rescue-oriented predecessor.
Originally introduced in 2013 and sponsored by the US Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Atlas represented one of the most advanced humanoid robots of its time. Over the years, it evolved from tentative steps akin to a toddler's to fluid, human-like movements.
Beyond human
The latest electric iteration of Atlas announced a day after its predecessor's grand retirement maintains its humanoid form but surpasses human capabilities in its range of motion, enabling it to navigate tasks more efficiently, unconstrained by human limitations.
Business Insider has reported in the company's YouTube announcement video, that the new Atlas demonstrated its enhanced mobility by effortlessly transitioning from a prone position to standing, twisting its legs backward, swiveling on its torso, and walking toward the camera—a testament to its ability to surpass traditional human movements.
Going commercial
According to reports from TechCrunch, Boston Dynamics is now exploring commercial applications for the new Atlas, with plans to collaborate with Hyundai, the South Korean conglomerate that acquired the robotics firm in 2021. CEO Robert Playter revealed that they aim to commence on-site experiments with the electric Atlas at Hyundai facilities starting next year, with full-scale production slated for the coming years.
Meanwhile, competitors like Agility Robotics have already established partnerships, such as Amazon's use of its bipedal robots, Digit, for warehouse operations. Boston Dynamics has also garnered attention with its Spot robots, quadrupedal machines utilized by some police departments.
Recent reports from South Korean outlet Invest Chosun indicate Hyundai's new ventures, including its association with Boston Dynamics, have faced challenges. Despite its symbolic significance as Hyundai Chairman Euisun Chung's major acquisition, Boston Dynamics has experienced declining performance, with net losses widening from KRW 197 billion in 2021 to KRW 334.8 billion (US$240 million) by the end of 2023.
While Boston Dynamics has established its own AI research institute, questions linger within the industry regarding its technological prowess and ability to outpace competitors. CEO Playter acknowledges the importance of AI in advancing their robots' capabilities, emphasizing the need for AI techniques to support the generality of tasks.
