Boston Dynamics has presented a new version of the Atlas robot that uses only electric motors for movements instead of the hydraulic joints of the first versions. Atlas must be stronger and have more freedom of movement.
The electric Atlas, like the hydraulic Atlas, is a humanoid robot and must also be able to lift heavy, complex objects. Boston Dynamics says it can improve the capabilities of Atlas with the new version and is also investigating other grippers to lift objects. Although Atlas resembles a human, Boston Dynamics says the robot should not be “limited by human reach.” Atlas must therefore be able to make movements that humans cannot do.
Boston Dynamics ultimately wants to sell Atlas commercially and will first conduct smaller tests with 'a small group of companies', including owner Hyundai. The robot company expects this phase to last years. Atlas must work autonomously in Hyundai's car factories.
The Atlas maker announced in a video earlier this week that it would discontinue 'the hydraulic Atlas robot'. There was no electric version at that time, which made it seem as if the company was going to stop fully developing the robot.