Oliver Haslam·

Boston Dynamics Is Back With A New Robot Called Atlas

Following the news that Boston Dynamics was putting its Atlas robot out to pasture it was wondered what would come next. Now, we know, and what comes next is another robot called Atlas.

The new robot is fully electric and is designed to be capable of a greater range of movement than the previous model. The company also says that the new version will be better at tackling specific tasks including those that are dirty and dangerous.

“We designed the electric version of Atlas to be stronger, more dexterous, and more agile,” the company said in its press release. “Atlas may resemble a human form factor, but we are equipping the robot to move in the most efficient way possible to complete a task, rather than being constrained by a human range of motion. Atlas will move in ways that exceed human capabilities.”

There’s a video (embedded at the bottom) showing the robot being put through its paces and as you might expect, it’s both impressive and terrifying in equal measure.

Boston Dynamics says that the new and improved Atlas will now be tested with a small group of customers with that process expected to take a few years. Hyundai will be the first to get in on the act, we’re told. One thing is clear though, anyone expecting to be able to have one of these things do their gardening and whatnot is likely to have to wait a long, long time.

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