Boston Dynamics’ latest video demo of Atlas, a robot that can run, jump, and now catch and throw TechCrunch
https://www.youtube.com/watch؟v=-e1_QhJ1EhQ
Boston Dynamics has just released the latest offering of its humanoid robot, Atlas. The robot can already run and jump over complex terrain thanks to its two legs. Now, the robot has hands, per se. These basic grippers give your robot new life. Suddenly, instead of being an agile mule, the Atlas becomes more like a human, with the ability to independently pick up and drop anything it can grab.
The claw-like grip consists of a fixed finger and a movable finger. Boston Dynamics says the handles were designed for heavy lifting tasks and were first introduced in a Super Bowl ad where Atlas was holding a keg over his head.
Videos released today show porters lifting construction lumber and a nylon tool bag. Then he takes the atlas 2×8 and places it between two boxes to form a bridge. Atlas then picks up a bag of tools and dashes over the bridge and through the construction scaffolding. But the tool bag has to reach the second level of the structure – something Atlas must have realized and quickly throw the bag a great distance. Boston Dynamics describes this latest maneuver: “Atlas’ closing move, a 540-degree multi-axis flip, adds asymmetry to the robot’s movement, making it a much more challenging skill than previously performed parkour.”
The Boston Dynamic Atlas is a research platform and is not available for purchase. She has been the star of many viral videos, effectively demonstrating the capabilities of Boston Dynamic’s robotics. In the small world of humanoid robots, few rivals have demonstrated capabilities comparable to Atlas. NASA’s Robonaut just offers similar hand grippers.
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