World's most advanced humanoid robot, ATLAS, goes for a run in the park

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WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF

As the field of robotics continues to advance we’re beginning to witness the first signs of the emergence of robots that, outside of their traditional factory setting, could be truly useful.

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With their advanced sensors, hiding from robots has never been an option, but running from their often plodding frames has been, until now. ATLAS, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, can now run after you, and if you’re thinking that running over rough terrain could save you, well, sorry my friend, Atlas mastered the art of walking over rocks last year. And Parkour, I almost forgot to mention that one. Sorry… oh and balancing. Okay, I’m done now.

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Three years ago former Google robotics outfit Boston Dynamics demonstrated its Terminator-like humanoid Atlas robot running through a forest tethered to a machine. Now that same hauntingly human robot can now run across and navigate uneven terrain unaided, bounding over the trickiest of obstacles … such as a log.

Watch Atlas run

The new video shows Atlas running in what can only be described as a showy jog, striding with purpose and hinting that at any stage it might break into a lightning-quick sprint.

The new Atlas is actually smaller and lighter than is forbearer, weighing 80kg and standing tall at 1.75 metres (5 feet 9 inches), and there’s even been a version fitted with wheels allowing it to zip across rooms, jump on to tables and terrify human observers.

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Now though the biped robot has seemingly conquered jogging across grass, which means not even park run is safe from the tyranny of robots, and as for what’s next? Well, it’s probably just going to get faster and better at everything, so it’s time to get your running shoes on and start training for the time when the robots take over… faster, faster, faster. Ah, forget it.

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Matthew Griffin

Fanatical Futurist ● Int'l Advisor and Keynote Speaker ● Disruption, Futures and Innovation expert

Matthew Griffin, described as “The Adviser behind the Advisers” and a “Young Kurzweil,” is the founder and CEO of the World Futures Forum and the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures consultancy working between the dates of 2020 to 2070, and is an award winning futurist, and author of “Codex of the Future” series. Regularly featured in the global media, including AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, RT, Viacom, and WIRED, Matthew’s ability to identify, track, and explain the impacts of hundreds of revolutionary emerging technologies on global culture, industry and society, is unparalleled. Recognised for the past six years as one of the world’s foremost futurists, innovation and strategy experts Matthew is an international speaker who helps governments, investors, multi-nationals and regulators around the world envision, build and lead an inclusive, sustainable future. A rare talent Matthew’s recent work includes mentoring Lunar XPrize teams, re-envisioning global education and training with the G20, and helping the world’s largest organisations envision and ideate the future of their products and services, industries, and countries. Matthew's clients include three Prime Ministers and several governments, including the G7, Accenture, Aon, Bain & Co, BCG, Credit Suisse, Dell EMC, Dentons, Deloitte, E&Y, GEMS, Huawei, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, Lego, McKinsey, PWC, Qualcomm, SAP, Samsung, Sopra Steria, T-Mobile, and many more.