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Boston Dynamics Unveils New Atlas Humanoid Robot
Boston Dynamics Unveils New Atlas Humanoid Robot
Updated: April 27 2024 04:00
Boston Dynamics has just introduced a new version of its iconic Atlas robot. This all-electric humanoid is set to replace the legendary hydraulic Atlas and is intended to be a commercial product, marking a significant milestone for the company that has spent the last decade pushing the boundaries of humanoid robotics. See below the video of the new Atlas robot:
The Journey to the New Atlas
In an exclusive interview with IEEE Spectrum, Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter shared insights into the development of the new Atlas and the company's vision for its future. Playter, who has been with the company since 1994, has played a crucial role in steering Boston Dynamics from an R&D-focused organization to a commercial robotics company with successful products like Spot and Stretch.
Playter explained that the development of the new Atlas has been a nearly 15-year effort, with the company working to ensure that the robot can handle a wide range of tasks, particularly in industrial settings. The team focused on creating a robot capable of at-pace bimanual manipulation of heavy objects with complex geometry, which is expected to be valuable in manufacturing environments.
Electric vs. Hydraulic
One of the most significant changes in the new Atlas is the shift from hydraulic to electric actuation. Playter revealed that the company had experimented with this transition during the development of Spot, discovering that they could build powerful, lightweight electric motors with sufficient responsiveness and strength. The new Atlas features a set of compact actuators that pack the strength of an elite human athlete into a small package, making an electric humanoid feasible.
Extreme Range of Motion and Unique Design
The new Atlas boasts an impressive range of motion that exceeds human capabilities. Playter explained that this flexibility enables the robot to perform tasks more efficiently, such as turning around without having to take multiple steps. While some in the robotics community believe that robots should move in familiar, predictable ways for human comfort, Playter argues that people will adapt to the robot's unique capabilities if it leads to increased productivity.
The robot's head design is another notable feature, with Boston Dynamics deliberately opting for a non-human-like appearance. The articulated head features integrated lights and is intended to serve as a friendly focal point for understanding the robot's intent.
Advantages in Commercialization
Unlike the Spot, which was a technology looking for a product, the approach with Atlas was different. Lessons learned from the Spot led to a more targeted approach with Atlas, identifying potential applications before scaling production. This approach is more akin to the one taken with the Stretch robot, which had a clear target market from the outset.
The new Atlas is designed to be more than a single-task robot. It’s targeted at industrial applications and logistics, handling heavy objects with complex geometry in diverse environments, likely in manufacturing. “We’ve built our first robot, and we believe that’s really going to set the bar for the next generation of capabilities for this whole industry,” Playter said.
Playter emphasized the importance of identifying real use cases and ensuring sufficient productivity to satisfy customers. The company's transformation over the past few years, including the development of manufacturing, service, and reliability systems, has prepared them for the challenges of commercializing a humanoid robot.
Funding and Ownership Changes
Initially, Boston Dynamics received a significant portion of its funding from the U.S. military and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Over time, the company has been financed by big-name owners including Google, SoftBank, and most recently, Hyundai. In 2021, Hyundai Motor Company acquired an 80% stake in Boston Dynamics at a valuation of $1.1 billion. SoftBank, through one of its affiliates, retains the remaining 20%. This acquisition has allowed Hyundai to expand its mobility solutions business, one of its primary segments.
Despite being a privately held company with no plans to go public in the near future, it's good that Boston Dynamics continues to attract interest from investors. The company's cutting-edge robotics technology, combined with its focus on artificial intelligence, presents massive growth potential.
However, the company faces challenges and threats from current competition and future prospects. On April 5 2024, Boston Dynamics announced a net loss of 335B won ($248 million) in 2023. It recorded net losses of 255B won in 2022 and 197B won in 2021. As the field of robotics continues to evolve, Boston Dynamics will need to stay ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and technology to maintain its competitive edge.
Looking Ahead
In the near future, Boston Dynamics plans to showcase more of the new Atlas' dexterous manipulation capabilities and aims to conduct proof-of-technology testing in factories at Hyundai Motor Group as early as next year. Playter believes that the new Atlas will raise the bar for the entire robotics industry, inspiring others to push the boundaries of what is possible in humanoid robotics.
The introduction of the new all-electric Atlas humanoid robot by Boston Dynamics marks a significant step forward in the commercialization of advanced humanoid robots. With its impressive strength, agility, and range of motion, the new Atlas is poised to revolutionize industrial applications and set a new standard for the robotics industry. As Boston Dynamics continues to refine and develop this groundbreaking technology, the world eagerly awaits the impact that humanoid robots like Atlas will have on the future of manufacturing and beyond.
