Boston Dynamics teaches Atlas robot to deliver tools to a construction site

The two-legged Atlas robot could already dance and parkour, but now Boston Dynamics has taught the robot how to deliver a bag of tools to a construction site. Atlas can now, albeit in a simulated environment, climb onto a scaffolding with a bag and deliver the bag.

Running around and jumping around a construction site with a tool bag may sound like it in Boston Dynamics’ words less impressive than, for example, the parkour video from a year and a half ago, according to the company, it is still more difficult for the robot to manipulate its environment than it seems. In the video, Atlas grabs a plank to put it elsewhere, the robot walks and jumps with a tool bag, and Atlas pushes a box down from a platform.

Boston Dynamics says they not only wanted the robot to be able to perform all these tasks, but Atlas to be able to do it “as fast” as a human. As a result, some tasks have become more complicated, such as picking up the large plank. “Instead of Atlas slowly turning around and gently putting the plank down, the robot flips 180 degrees while holding the plank.” As a result, the robot’s systems must account for the plank’s momentum to prevent the robot from tipping over.

Another example of a complex task is the box being pushed down. Atlas must generate enough force to push the box down, without the robot itself being too bad. The last jump down also turned out to be difficult, because Atlas continuously got tangled with his legs. In that jump, the robot would also use “all the power of almost every joint.”

Incidentally, Boston Dynamics does not aim to sell Atlas as a construction site robot. Atlas is a research platform with which the company wants to investigate and demonstrate what is possible with its robot technology. The company says it is “still a long way” from humanoid robots that can routinely perform dangerous tasks.