Boston Dynamics, an American company, has announced plans to upgrade its humanoid robot with a new model designed for real-world commercial and industrial applications. The company stated that its hydraulic Atlas robot model would be retired and replaced with a new fully electric Atlas robot. After investing in humanoid robots for around 10 years, Boston Dynamics has observed other companies entering the field during that time. In collaboration with Hyundai, the company will test new applications for the Atlas model. The now-retired humanoid robot will be placed in the company’s lobby museum alongside other decommissioned robots.
In a video released by the company, the impressive movement capabilities of the Atlas model were showcased in tests, as well as some of the dramatic failures it encountered. Boston Dynamics expressed gratitude for all the accomplishments made with the Atlas platform over the years. The idea of a world where robots become more advanced can be both exciting and concerning for different people. According to Stanford’s brief history of robotics, some view robots as dangerous technological advancements that could potentially lead to the downfall of humanity.
Boston Dynamics has a code of ethics that outlines principles such as trustworthiness, non-weaponization, and compliance with existing civil rights and privacy laws for its robots. The company is committed to ethical practices in the development and use of robotics technology.
