Boston Dynamics Reveals Electric Atlas Amid Skepticism
Boston Dynamics has unveiled a new, fully electric version of its Atlas humanoid robot, which observers called a glimpse into the future of AI and precision engineering. The move marks a shift from its previous hydraulic, research-focused models toward what some see as more practical, real-world work. However, some skepticism remains about its deployment readiness, with one social media user sharing a clip from a 60 Minutes demo that reportedly did not go well.
- The new electric Atlas is stronger and more agile than its hydraulic predecessor, with some joints able to rotate 360 degrees. It stands 1.9 meters tall, has a reach of 2.3 meters, and can lift 30 kg for sustained periods. - Parent company Hyundai Motor Group, which acquired a controlling 80% stake in Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion in 2021, is the first customer for the commercial Atlas. The robots will be tested at Hyundai's manufacturing facilities, with initial deployments at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Savannah, Georgia, slated to begin in 2028. - All of the 2026 production slots for Atlas are already committed to Hyundai and Google's DeepMind, which is collaborating with Boston Dynamics on the robot's AI. Boston Dynamics plans to add more customers in 2027 and Hyundai aims to have the capacity to produce 30,000 humanoid units annually by 2028. - The commercialization of Atlas follows that of Boston Dynamics' other robots, Spot and Stretch. Spot, the quadruped robot, first became available for lease in 2019 and for direct purchase in the U.S. in June 2020. - The broader humanoid robot market is accelerating, with multiple companies targeting commercial deployments. Agility Robotics has deployed its Digit robot in logistics operations, and Figure AI has a commercial agreement to deploy its humanoids in BMW's manufacturing plant in South Carolina. - The new Atlas is designed for real-world industrial tasks like parts sequencing and machine tending and can integrate with existing factory software through Boston Dynamics' Orbit platform. Once one Atlas learns a new skill, the capability can be transferred to the entire fleet. - The robot is designed for continuous operation, featuring a four-hour battery that it can autonomously swap out at a charging station when power is low. It also has an IP67 rating for durability and field-replaceable limbs for easier maintenance.
