Boston Dynamics launched a brand new video of the electrical Atlas humanoid. The video exhibits behind-the-scenes snippets of the Atlas engineering group and the robotic in varied states of meeting and restore. It’s a refreshing take a look at the advanced programs that make up a humanoid robotic, and it’s additionally an trustworthy look beneath the hood at a time when many firms are guarded in regards to the IP inside their robots.
Aaron Saunders, chief expertise officer at Boston Dynamics, will ship the opening keynote at Robotics Summit & Expo 2025, the place he’ll unpack the brand new, electrical Atlas humanoid and share insights from being on the forefront of humanoid growth for years. This keynote will discover the challenges and alternatives of constructing humanoids for real-world purposes, providing a behind-the-scenes take a look at how Boston Dynamics continues to innovate and push the restrict of robotics.
The brand new video from previews lots of the matters Aaron is more likely to cowl throughout his keynote. Right here’s what I discovered attention-grabbing in it.
As a controls engineer, the very first thing that I all the time pay shut consideration to is the movement of particular person axes. Within the video, you’ll discover Atlas isn’t all the time tremendous steady when lifting, and manipulating heavy objects into and out of the position areas. Watch the video at 3:06, and also you’ll see that the movement management within the backbone has to dynamically react to disturbances from the forces via the arms and shoulders throughout half placement.
In contrast to the hydraulic model of Atlas, which was capable of present joint stiffness via hydraulic strain, the electrical motors of the brand new Atlas all must servo dynamically to retain inflexible physique management. I discover it fascinating to look at all the system operate to realize a selected purpose.
Within the video, Scott Kuindersma, senior director of robotics analysis at Boston Dynamics, describes the challenges Boston Dynamics had with the hydraulic Atlas, and the way the brand new, electrical platform improves on these points. “Our outdated lab used to have a skinny coat of oil on it always,” Kuindersma stated in reference to the hydraulic model of Atlas.
Boston Dynamics is now constructing its personal actuators, a typical technique for contemporary humanoid producers that’s additionally shared by opponents Apptronik and Determine.
Atlas leveraging coaching knowledge
Boston Dynamics brings an enormous wealth of expertise in object manipulation. The corporate had an earlier begin within the coaching of AI fashions by way of simulation. The analogy right here is within the lifetime of studying that people have in controlling their our bodies, humanoids have the same hurdle to realize a stage of practical management in finishing even the best of duties.
Boston Dynamics is coaching new AI fashions that can present the intelligence to Atlas humanoid, enabling it to autonomously sequence components for auto meeting vegetation. | Credit score: Boston Dynamics
The second half of the video seems to be on the complexity of sequencing duties for the robotic. For humanoids to be helpful at work, they want an understanding of the world round them, and tips on how to break down job requests into manageable subtasks. Boston Dynamics is taking a look at sequencing ideas, and analyzing the 1000’s and 1000’s of components that go right into a car, for instance, and tips on how to order these components for meeting.
Within the video, Atlas demonstrates its capability to sequence a components cart given an outline of the tip state, together with an outline of the place to search out the components.
There’s nonetheless loads of work to be finished, but it surely’s superb to see the cutting-edge right now and the way shortly the capabilities and performance of humanoids are evolving.
Humanoids at Robotics Summit & Expo
Humanoids will likely be outstanding on the Robotics Summit & Expo, which runs from April 30 to Might 1 in Boston and is produced by The Robotic Report.
Along with Saunders’ opening keynote, the primary day of the occasion will characteristic a panel on the state of humanoids with Pras Velagapudi, chief expertise officer at Agility Robotics; Aaron Prather, director of robotics and autonomous programs at ASTM Worldwide; and Al Makke, director of engineering at Schaeffler. They’ll discover the technical and enterprise challenges shaping the event of humanoids. The panel can even share insights from early deployments, the continued efforts to determine security requirements, and what’s on the horizon.
Unitree will likely be discussing the event of its humanoids on Day 2 of the occasion and will likely be demoing the G1 humanoid in sales space 652. Westwood Robotics, which spun out of UCLA, may have the most recent model of its THEMIS humanoid in sales space 650. Each humanoids will likely be interacting with attendees in varied networking actions, too.
PSYONIC can even be discussing and demoing (sales space 750) its superior bionic palms that it’s creating partly for humanoids. Founder Aadeel Akhtar is giving the closing keynote of the occasion. These are just some of the methods attendees will find out about humanoids on the occasion.
The Robotics Summit & Expo will carry collectively greater than 5,000 builders targeted on constructing robots for a wide range of industrial industries. Attendees can achieve insights into the most recent enabling applied sciences, engineering greatest practices, and rising developments.
The present will characteristic over 200 exhibitors, 70-plus audio system on stage, and greater than 10 hours of devoted networking time. It can additionally embrace a Girls in Robotics Breakfast, a profession honest, startup showcase, and extra. Returning to the present are the RBR50 Pavilion and RBR50 Awards Dinner, which can honor the winners of the annual RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards.
