Boston Dynamics stops developing its humanoid robot Atlas
Robot manufacturer Boston Dynamics has decided to stop experimenting with its humanoid robot Atlas. The robot became famous for its acrobatic stunts and dances that went viral.
The robot company announced the end of the Atlas project on YouTube. “For nearly a decade, Atlas has captured our imaginations, inspired the next generation of roboticists, and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the field,” the video description reads. “Now it’s time for our Atlas robot to take a backseat and relax. Take a look back at everything we’ve achieved with the Atlas platform so far.”
Possible successor?
Boston Dynamics does not give an exact reason. However, it is striking that the company uses the words ‘so far’ in the description. This could possibly mean that Boston Dynamics is developing a next generation of humanoid robots. Atlas itself is not the company’s first biped. The project was born in 2009, then under the name PETMAN. Later the robot was renamed Atlas and since then Boston Dynamics has been constantly improving the platform.
Tens of millions of views
Initially, Atlas could only walk over uneven terrain or balance on one leg. Over the years, Atlas has learned to open doors, jump, run, and pick up boxes. Newer models of Atlas can also dance, tumble and even do backflips.
The videos in which Boston Dynamics shows what its robots can do regularly attract tens of millions of views.
Additional information:
- Atlas was first introduced in 2013.
- The robot is powered by a battery and can operate for about 2 hours on a single charge.
- Atlas weighs 150 pounds and stands 5 feet 11 inches tall.
- The robot has been used for a variety of research purposes, including studying how humans walk and run.
