Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot, Atlas, is back in the spotlight with a new video that has captivated the internet. The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), features Atlas performing push-ups with the caption, “Atlas doing a quick warm up before work.” The video quickly gained attention, amassing over 716,000 views.
One detail that caught the eye of many viewers was Atlas’s hands. Some users questioned the lack of refined hands, prompting Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to chime in. Musk, a prominent figure in the robotics industry, commented that “Great hands are the hardest part,” recognizing the complexity of creating realistic robot hands.
The latest video builds on Boston Dynamics’ reputation for creating advanced robots with impressive mobility and sleek design. Their previous video, released in December 2020, featured Atlas and the dog-like robot Spot dancing and backflipping to the song “Do You Love Me?” This video garnered over 41 million views and cemented Boston Dynamics’ place as a leader in the field of robotics.
While the impressive capabilities of Atlas have garnered praise from industry experts like AI researcher and MIT scientist Lex Fridman, some remain cautious about the potential implications of such advanced robots. In October 2022, Boston Dynamics, along with other robotics companies, signed an open letter pledging not to weaponize general-purpose robots.
Tesla, another company venturing into the realm of humanoid robots, announced its Optimus project in 2021. Elon Musk has envisioned Optimus as a versatile companion, capable of performing tasks like childcare, household chores, and factory work. He predicts a future where there will be at least one humanoid robot for every person on the planet, suggesting a potential humanoid robot population of 10 billion or more. To ensure Optimus’s human-like movements, Tesla is reportedly hiring employees to train the robot using motion capture suits and VR headsets.
The advancements in robotics, particularly in the development of humanoid robots, continue to push boundaries and raise questions about the future of work and human-robot interactions. As companies like Boston Dynamics and Tesla continue to develop increasingly sophisticated robots, the ongoing dialogue about ethics, safety, and the potential impact on society will be crucial.
