Boston Dynamics has updated its humanoid robot Atlas by replacing the model with hydraulic actuators with a new design using electric motors.
The new version, despite retaining the old name, comes with expanded capabilities. By using electric motors instead of hydraulics, the range of motion of the limbs has increased, and the manipulators have been trained for new gripping techniques. Engineers from Hyundai assisted the American company specialists in this project, as Hyundai became an investor and provided test facilities for the robot.
Boston Dynamics emphasized that they have traditionally focused on legged robots because they wanted to create devices that could balance and move dynamically on any surface. With the transition to electric motors, specialists now have the opportunity to introduce new movements and enhance the efficiency of Atlas.
“We have developed an electric version of Atlas to make it stronger, more agile, and more maneuverable – the robot may resemble a human, but we have given it the ability to move in the most efficient way to perform tasks, not limited to the human range of motion. Atlas will move in ways that exceed human capabilities,” commented the developers. Boston Dynamics did not provide detailed information about the new version of the robot and the timeline for the release of its commercial variants.