After more than a decade of dazzling followers with its outdoor running, awkward dancing, and acrobatic backflips, Atlas, the humanoid robot, has officially powered down and retired. Boston Dynamics, the company behind the iconic robot, announced the arrival of the next generation of humanoid robots, also named Atlas, designed for real-world commercial and industrial applications.
The original Atlas, known for its full-body mobility and groundbreaking capabilities in robotics research, was not designed for commercial use. It was initially developed as part of a competition to advance the use of robots in disaster scenarios, according to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
In a farewell video posted on social media, Boston Dynamics paid tribute to the old Atlas, highlighting its accomplishments and mishaps over the years. The video showcased the robot’s ability to navigate various terrains, lift heavy objects, and perform complex movements, as well as its occasional stumbles and mishaps.
The new Atlas model features a sleeker design with improved capabilities, including the ability to quickly transition from a horizontal position to a bipedal stance. The robot will be used to enhance automotive manufacturing capabilities in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, the owner of Boston Dynamics.
With the retirement of the original Atlas, the company plans to display it in their office lobby museum alongside other decommissioned robots. Despite its retirement, the legacy of Atlas lives on as it continues to inspire the next generation of roboticists and push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of robotics.
