Over the years, Boston Dynamics has shared several videos demonstrating the continually improved capabilities of its ATLAS humanoid robot. We know the robot can do everything from hauling heavy goods to performing parkour-caliber backflips, but if the company really wants to convince us that ATLAS will one day be an invaluable addition to the workforce, it’s going to need to follow the same rules that apply to its human co-workers.
Today, Boston Dynamics shared a couple of new videos of its humanoid robot in action on Twitter and YouTube. Past videos have demonstrated how nimble and balanced ATLAS can be on two feet, something the world really hasn’t seen before with humanoid robots outside of Hollywood trickery, but without any real practical applications of the technology. At least SPOT, Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, could open doors and hurl cinder blocks using its arm attachment.
The company’s latest ATLAS video gives us a good look at how the robot could work alongside humans in a real-world setting like a construction site—although simulated in Boston Dynamics’ facilities. Using the color and depth-sensing cameras that ATLAS uses to see the world, as well as intelligent image processing of the world around it, the robot is able to pick up and place a wooden plank to use as a makeshift bridge. It then and carries a bag of tools up to a construction worker atop a scaffolding structure before making a flamboyant acrobatic dismount back to the ground.
The videos effectively show off ATLAS’ new skills including the ability to jump and spin while holding added weight—in this case, the wooden plank and tool bag—the ability to throw that heavy bag of tools during a spin jump, exerting just enough power to topple a large wooden crate without disrupting its own balance, and a more complex multi-axis flip off an elevated surface. All impressive feats, and all very effective ways to get written up for safety violations on a construction site. Here are the concerns we spotted:
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We’re as excited as anyone to see what ATLAS could do in the real world, but learning to follow the rules (besides those three that Asimov thought up) is just as important as everything else ATLAS has learned to date.
Source: Gizmodo