DARPA’s New Humanoid Robot, ATLAS

Robotics
DARPA’s New Humanoid Robot, ATLAS

ATLAS
DARPA has been working on a few impressive humanoid robots (which I’ve written about) for the past few years. As before, they’re collaborating with Boston Dynamics to develop the ATLAS humanoid, and they’ve clearly come a long way since developing its younger sibling, the Pet-Proto, as the below video proves. Unlike Pet-Proto, the 74″ ATLAS has arms with modular wrists, giving it near-human anthropometry.

YouTube player
Skip to 0:40 for the really good stuff.

ATLAS’ 28 hydraulically actuated joints are in a closed-loop system, granting the humanoid serious crash protection and extremely precise motion control. Software-focused teams will utilize this fascinating hardware to compete in the first physical event of the DARPA Robotics Challenge, in December of this year at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

8 thoughts on “DARPA’s New Humanoid Robot, ATLAS

  1. Sean says:

    How could someone put that much effort into building something like that and NOT put a cylon eye on it?

    1. Eric Weinhoffer says:

      That’s a fantastic question. At least they put some blue LEDs into that grill on the front!

  2. Richard says:

    Is that a Flux Capacitor on its chest? How about entering him in the Robot Combat League

  3. neutrox says:

    ATLAS? whats next P-body xD

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Eric is a Mechanical Engineer with interests in machining, mass manufacturing, product design and kinetic art. While not building things, he enjoys skiing, cycling, and juggling.

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