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Now that humanoids are all the rage in the robotics manufacture , Boston Dynamics on Tuesday officially retired theirs . The Hyundai - owned business firm has always marched to the rhythm of its own drummer . Even so , it ’s an unmatched conclusion as funding stream into the class by the hundreds of gazillion .
venture an educated surmisal , I would say that today ’s Atlas retirement is less about endings than new rootage . Most probably , the hulking mechanical man is gracefully stepping out of the way of whatever is coming next for the house .
Boston Dynamics has been focused on commercialise technologies for a act of twelvemonth now . Hyundai ’s 2021 acquisitionof the firm , coupled with the appointment of Robert Playter as its second - ever CEO , has further accelerated that way . Given the tremendous interest around society like Agility , Figure , 1X and Apptronik , it stands to grounds that — at the very least — the Waltham , Massachusetts - based company has — at the very least — seriously explore the commercial android family .
Boston Dynamics was , of course of study , well in advance of the current humanoid robotics curve . Last July marked the 10thanniversary of the bipedal robot ’s debut . The company team with DARPA for Atlas ’ early development , leading the robot to be heavily incorporated into challenges of the era .
“ At the meter of its debut , Atlas was one of the most advanced humanoid robots ever built,”DARPA bill , “ but it was essentially a physical shell for the software brains and nerves that the squad develop . ”
Then - DARPA broadcast handler Gill Pratt compare the robot to a human infant . “ A one - yr - sure-enough child can scarce walk , a one - year - old child falls down a caboodle , ” he said . “ As you see these machines and you equate them to scientific discipline fabrication , just keep in mind that this is where we are right now . ”
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Atlas has taken many strides in the intervening decade , of line , as the bipedal robot continues to factor into Boston Dynamics ’ research and promotional stuff . Today , however , marks the end of the route for the automaton . While many of the system ’s progression in locomotion still strike , certain aspects , like its hydraulics , are antique by present-day robotics standards .
Another wrinkle in today ’s news show is that , as of February , Boston Dynamics was still showcasing Atlas ’ capableness . In fact , the troupe seemed to be teasing at commercializing the task with the sacking of a telecasting called“Atlas Struts”(not Atlas Shrugs , idea ) .
The video ’s prescribed caption reads , “ Ca n’t trip Atlas up ! Our android robot gets ready for real work meld military capability , sensing , and mobility . ” The video , meanwhile , showcased some cool augmented reality sensing tricks and a new grasper that appeared specifically design for workplace on the manufacturing plant base . Given Hyundai ’s ownership of the firm , it ’s easy to opine some eventual Atlas descendant helping to work up future car .
in the meantime , in lieu of a amber watch , Boston Dynamics is offering up avideofeaturing some of Atlas ’ greatest hits and most outstanding falls . It ’s one final blunder Virginia reel that demonstrates just how much work run into those perfectly choreographed videos .
