Atlas
Atlas is Boston Dynamics' advanced humanoid robot platform, transitioning from a research demonstration robot to a practical deployment solution for industrial manufacturing. Unveiled in its fully electric form in April 2024, Atlas represents the pinnacle of bipedal locomotion and whole-body manipulation control. The robot combines human-scale dexterity with strength that exceeds human capability, enabling it to perform complex tasks like picking, placing, assembly, and material handling in manufacturing environments. Partnering with Toyota Research Institute, Boston Dynamics has implemented Large Behavior Models that allow Atlas to learn and execute tasks through demonstration rather than explicit programming.
Image Gallery
Specifications
Form Factor
Bipedal humanoid robot
Height
Approximately 1.5 meters (5 feet)
Robot Mass
Approximately 89 kg
Actuation System
Fully electric (transitioned from hydraulic in 2024)
Degrees of Freedom
Dozens of actuated joints across legs, arms, torso, and torso rotation
Max Speed
Approximately 2.5 m/s in recent demonstrations
Locomotion Capabilities
Walking, running, jumping, dynamic balancing, recovery from pushes
Manipulation Capabilities
Dual-arm dexterity, tool handling, object manipulation, assembly tasks
Perception Sensors
Multiple RGB cameras, stereo depth sensors, forward-looking lidar
Control System
Large Behavior Model integrated with custom control and computing system
Power System
Onboard battery for extended autonomous operation
Primary Application
Manufacturing and heavy material handling (not currently sold as commercial product)
Deployment Status
Early-stage deployment in Hyundai manufacturing facilities
Research Partnerships
Toyota Research Institute (Large Behavior Models), MIT, academic institutions
Key Features
Feature
Fully electric actuation system offering broader joint range and superior energy efficiency compared to hydraulic predecessors
Feature
Human-scale bipedal form enabling operation in spaces designed for people, including tight manufacturing floors and assembly lines
Feature
Sophisticated whole-body balance and control enabling dynamic movements like walking, running, jumping, and recovery from pushes
Feature
Integrated Large Behavior Model (LBM) allowing autonomous task learning from human demonstrations without manual code writing
Feature
Advanced perception combining RGB cameras, depth sensors, and lidar for real-time environment understanding
Feature
Dexterous dual arms with strength and precision enabling manipulation of tools, parts, and assemblies
Feature
Rapid task adaptation enabling mid-sequence adjustments when encountering obstacles or unexpected conditions
Feature
Designed for deployment in manufacturing environments, particularly heavy material handling and assembly tasks
Feature
Research partnership with Hyundai Motor Group enabling early deployment in automotive manufacturing plants
Feature
Continuous software advancement through partnerships with Toyota Research Institute, MIT, and leading academic institutions
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Atlas remains a research and development platform used by Boston Dynamics and select partners. However, it is transitioning to early deployment in manufacturing environments, particularly at Hyundai Motor facilities for assembly and heavy material handling tasks.
Instead of engineers manually coding every motion and behavior, the LBM allows operators to demonstrate tasks. Atlas learns from these demonstrations and can generalize to variations of the task, dramatically accelerating the process of adding new capabilities.
Atlas excels at heavy material handling, loading and unloading machines, part assembly, and tasks requiring strength and dexterity. Its ability to navigate tight factory spaces and adapt to complex assembly sequences makes it well-suited to automotive and general manufacturing.
Atlas uses advanced real-time balance control and proprioceptive feedback. When pushed or when terrain is uneven, the robot dynamically adjusts its limb positions and center of gravity to maintain stability, demonstrating near-human-level recovery capability.
Atlas combines visual sensors (RGB cameras), depth sensing, and lidar for environmental perception. It also uses proprioceptive sensors throughout its body to understand its own position and forces, enabling precise task execution and safe interaction with objects.
Research on Atlas pushes the boundaries of control, perception, and mechanical design. Advances in balance, manipulation, and AI integration from Atlas research directly influence improvements in products like Spot, helping Boston Dynamics build more capable practical robots.