Boston Dynamics bids adieu to its popular humanoid robot Atlas

“For almost a decade, Atlas has sparked our imagination, inspired the next generations of roboticists, and leapt over technical barriers in the field. Now it’s time for our hydraulic Atlas robot to kick back and relax,” Boston Dynamics said in the video description.

An impressive journey

Boston Dynamics built Atlas for a robotics contest held by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The firm revealed Atlas to the public on July 11, 2013. The bipedal humanoid was initially intended to perform search and rescue duties.

Later on, Boston Dynamics used Atlas as a research platform to push the boundaries of bimanual manipulation and whole-body mobility.

In its initial iteration, Atlas measured six feet and two inches in height and weighed 330 pounds (149 kilograms). Over the years, Boston Dynamics has refined Atlas’s design, witnessing its evolution as it effortlessly hops, jumps, twirls, and even tosses around tool bags with grace and agility.

Thanks to a sophisticated control system and cutting-edge hardware, the robot possesses the strength and balance to exhibit exceptional athleticism and agility.

Atlas achieves advanced mobility thanks to technology that includes a custom-designed battery and one of the most compact hydraulic systems globally. With 28 hydraulic joints, its actuation is powered by hydraulic mechanisms, enabling it to perform impressive feats with high power and efficiency.

Atlas uses advanced control algorithms that empower it to strategically plan intricate whole-body movements and seamlessly adapt to its surroundings.
Atlas, capable of traveling at a velocity of 2.5 meters per second, adeptly maneuvers through its surroundings, demonstrating both speed and precision in its navigation.

Atlas incorporates a blend of 3D-printed titanium and aluminum components to achieve agility, ensuring a robust yet lightweight structure for executing impressive leaps and somersaults. At 1.5 meters high and weighing 196 pounds (89 kilograms), Atlas’ final design struck a fine balance between strength and agility.

Reasons for Atlas’s retirement remain ambiguous

The opinion is still divided on why Boston Dynamics decided to pull the plug on Atlas, even as other robotics firms like Agility, Figure, 1X, and Unitree are advancing with their objective to commercialize their offerings.

Despite actively participating in simulated construction sites and undertaking basic factory tasks, Atlas appeared to be transitioning toward practical work applications in its later years.

Interestingly, just two months ago, a video showcasing its factory work surfaced. This raises questions about its hurried retirement, especially considering its recent engagement in developmental activities as of February of this year.

The company has not released an official statement explaining its decision to retire the Atlas platform. Experts suggest the firm may be preparing to launch an updated version of Atlas primed for commercial launch.

Boston Dynamics is also well-known for Spot, a robot dog the firm started selling in June 2020. The firm also retails its warehouse robot called Stretch.