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Atlas 001, Boston Dynamics, MA (2024). Boston Dynamics retired their hydraulic Atlas on April 16 2024, after 11 years of acrobatic services. The following day, they surprised the world by unveiling the new fully electric Atlas 001.
"Traditionally, we have focused on legged robots because we wanted to build robots that could balance and move dynamically—robots that could navigate unstructured, unknown, or antagonistic terrain with ease. The humanoid form factor is a useful design for robots working in a world designed for people. However, that form factor doesn’t limit our vision of how a bipedal robot can move, what tools it needs to succeed, and how it can help people accomplish more. We designed the electric version of Atlas to be stronger, more dexterous, and more agile. Atlas may resemble a human form factor, but we are equipping the robot to move in the most efficient way possible to complete a task, rather than being constrained by a human range of motion. Atlas will move in ways that exceed human capabilities." – An Electric New Era for Atlas, Boston Dynamics.