Boston Dynamics unveils its first fully electric humanoid robot

By Matthew Griffin Robo Revolution 15th May 2024

WHY THIS MATTERS IN BRIEF

Electric robots are smoother and quieter, and also more reliable, than their older cousins and this is a major upgrade by Boston Dynamics.

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Boston Dynamics, the makers of Atlas, the parkour jumping humanoid robot, and Spot the robot dog, has unveiled a stronger, more agile, fully electric version of its Atlas humanoid robot which is already slated to enter use on Hyundai’s automotive production line.

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It was just this week that Boston Dynamics announced it was bidding adieu to the original Atlas robot, which moved its limbs via a series of hydraulic actuators. As companies like Unitree have recently shown us, electric joint motors are considerably lighter and more compact than hydraulics, plus they’re not subject to leakage.

See it in action

That’s where the just-announced all-electric version of Atlas comes in.

Although we’re still waiting to hear back about its full specifications, Boston Dynamics states that it’s stronger, nimbler and more dextrous than the hydraulic Atlas. It’s also designed to move in whatever manner is most efficient for performing a given task, as opposed to limiting itself to the natural human range of motion.

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The company states, “Atlas will move in ways that exceed human capabilities.”

What’s more, a number of new interchangeable grippers will be created for the robot, tailored toward clients’ needs. One of the first of those clients will be Hyundai, which will be testing the robot on its automotive production lines over the next few years.

There’s currently no word on when the new Atlas will enter wider commercial use. In the meantime, check out this rather freaky video of the robot showing off its electric dexterity.

Matthew Griffin / About Author

Described by NASA as a "Walking Encyclopaedia of the Future" and one of the world’s most in demand keynote speakers Matthew Griffin, Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm, is a multi-award winning Futurist and strategic foresight expert, author, lecturer, mentor, podcast and YouTube host.

With a distinguished career running global business units at Atos, EMC, and IBM today Matthew helps leaders and titans of industry from all over the world explore the impact of the inter sections of technology, culture, and leadership, then helps them create high performance organisations that can continuously disrupt, outpace, and outthink their competition.

15 times author of the hit series the Codex of the Future series Matthew's ability to identify, track, and explain the impacts of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends on global business, culture, and society has earned him a powerful reputation and a roster of clients that include royal households, world leaders across the G7, G20, and G77, and many of the world's most recognised and exceptional organisations including ABB, Accenture, ABN Amro, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi Group, Coca Cola, Deloitte, Dentons, Disney, Dow, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Microsoft, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Nokia, Paramount, PepsiCo, PWC, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, T-Mobile, UBS, Visa, WIRED, WPP and hundreds of others.

Matthew is regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, and his mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.