Boston Dynamics refines and abuses its Atlas bipedal robot

Boston Dynamics – the Google-owned engineering company dedicated to creating robots that move like animals – has shown off a updated version of its human-like Atlas design with a new video.

Although Atlas does not have feelings, it might be hard not to feel sympathetic when it’s being teased. It also includes 28 hydraulically-actuated degrees of freedom, two hands, arms, legs, feet, and a torso.

‘Atlas’ – which weighs 81kg, the equivalent of an adult male – has LIDAR and stereo sensors in its head to avoid obstacles, assess terrain and help with the navigation and manipulation of objects.

The video also shows Atlas picking up 10-pound boxes and putting them on shelves, with impressive precision of movement.

Atlas is powered by an off-board, electric power supply attached by a wire so it’s complete independence has yet to be worked out; however, research and development is in place to make a portable power source a possibility. Atlas’ first set of upgrades included becoming more energy efficient, more dexterous and quieter than its original version.

Boston Dynamics’ robots are getting strong enough to put up a fight against humanity.