Nearly 11 years after launching its current humanoid robot, Boston Dynamics is retiring its Atlas. The DARPA-funded robot was designed with search and rescue missions in mind, with the idea being that it would be able to enter areas unsafe for humans to perform a range of tasks. However, Atlas became a star thanks to films showcasing his strength, agility and balance, as well as his impressive feats.Atlas appropriately trots off into the sunset
“For nearly a decade, Atlas has captured our imaginations, inspired the next generation of roboticists, and transcended technological barriers in the field,” the YouTube description reads. “Now it’s time to let our hydraulic Atlas robot take some slack. “
Boston Dynamics’ farewell to Atlas didn’t just showcase some of the robot’s capabilities. It’s also a bit fancy. In addition to tossing kit and jumping between platforms, Atlas slips, trips, and falls multiple times in the clip – which oddly makes it seem more human.
Boston Dynamics certainly has more commercially successful robot product lines, including… However, this may not be the end of the company’s humanoid robot product line. “Looking back at everything we’ve accomplished so far with the Atlas platform,” the description in the farewell video reads. Those last two words show that Boston Dynamics isn’t quite done yet when it comes to robotics.
Engadget has reached out to the company for details on its plans for future humanoid robot development. Currently, Atlas appears to be in a robotic nursing home looking for a Wednesday afternoon dance partner.
