Atlas

An advanced looking two legged humanoid robot stands on a dark surface.
Atlas is ready for a day's work. Photo: Boston Dynamics

Atlas is the most agile humanoid in existence. It uses whole-body skills to move quickly and balance dynamically. It can lift and carry objects like boxes and crates, but its favorite tricks are running, jumping, and doing backflips.

Creator

Boston Dynamics

Year
2016
Country
United States 🇺🇸
Categories
Features
360° spin of an advanced looking two legged humanoid robot.
Interactive
See a 360° view of Atlas. Photos: Carlton SooHoo

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Appearance

Neutral

Did you know?

Atlas can keep its balance when jostled or pushed, and it is capable of getting up if it falls over.

A humanoid robot goes down a set of outdoor stairs.
Atlas goes for a walk. Photo: Boston Dynamics
Atlas is a gymnast. Video: Boston Dynamics

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History

In 2012, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selected the robotics firm Boston Dynamics to build the Atlas humanoid as part of the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). The DRC held a preliminary competition in December 2013. In early 2015, prior to the DRC Finals, Boston Dynamics and DARPA announced a new Atlas model, which now could function with batteries and no tethers. In 2016, Boston Dynamics unveiled the next-generation Atlas, a massively upgraded robot. Smaller, lighter, and more agile than previous models, the new robot was "electrically powered and hydraulically actuated," and was capable of operating inside buildings but also outdoors.

Specs

Overview

Designed to operate both outdoors and inside buildings. Whole-body dynamic stabilization. Able to sense obstacles and negotiate rough terrain autonomously or under teleoperation. Two-handed mobile manipulation. Electrically powered and hydraulically actuated. High strength-to-weight ratio and large workspace.

Status

Ongoing

Year

2016

Website
Height
150 cm
Weight
80 kg
Speed
5.4 km/h
Sensors

Lidar and stereo vision

Actuators

Hydraulic actuation with custom servo-valves

Degrees of Freedom (DoF)
28
Materials

3D-printed parts with actuators and hydraulic lines embedded in leg structures

Compute

Custom control and computing system

Software

Custom software

Power

Battery powered