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Apr 21 2025
4Boston Dynamics has released a new behind-the-scenes video spotlighting its electric Atlas humanoid robot. The footage offers a rare look into the inner workings of Atlas, featuring scenes of the robot in various stages of assembly, testing, and repair. This transparent approach stands out in an industry often tight-lipped about proprietary technologies.
The video comes ahead of the Robotics Summit & Expo 2025, set to take place April 30 to May 1 in Boston. Aaron Saunders, Chief Technology Officer at Boston Dynamics, will deliver the opening keynote. He is expected to delve into the design and development of the electric Atlas and explore the broader challenges and opportunities of deploying humanoids in real-world environments.
One of the key highlights of the video involves Atlas learning to sequence parts for automotive assembly tasks. The robot demonstrates its ability to locate components and organize them based on a given end-state configuration—a task requiring both mechanical precision and cognitive adaptability. This preview hints at the themes Saunders may expand on during his keynote.
As a controls engineer might observe, the video also sheds light on the complexities of motion control within the new Atlas platform. For instance, at the 3:06 mark, the robot’s spine reacts dynamically to shifting forces as it lifts and maneuvers heavy parts. Unlike its hydraulic predecessor, which relied on pressurized fluid to maintain joint rigidity, the electric Atlas must use servo-controlled motors to stabilize and maintain posture—an intricate balance of software and hardware coordination.
Scott Kuindersma, Senior Director of Robotics Research at Boston Dynamics, discusses this shift in the video. Reflecting on the limitations of the previous design, he quipped, “Our old lab used to have a thin coat of oil on it at all times,” referencing the inherent messiness of hydraulic systems. The new electric version aims to improve reliability, cleanliness, and control responsiveness.
A major part of this evolution is Boston Dynamics’ decision to design and manufacture its own actuators. This aligns with a broader trend among humanoid robot developers, including Apptronik and Figure, who are increasingly building custom hardware to meet the unique demands of humanoid functionality.
The second half of the video focuses on Atlas’ growing intelligence. Boston Dynamics has long leveraged simulated environments to train AI models, giving the robot the ability to deconstruct complex tasks into actionable steps—much like a human learns over time. This capability is central to the robot’s ability to perform assembly-related operations autonomously.
These developments will be at the forefront of the Robotics Summit & Expo, produced by The Robot Report. In addition to Saunders’ keynote, the summit will feature a panel discussion on humanoid development. Speakers include Pras Velagapudi of Agility Robotics, Aaron Prather of ASTM International, and Al Makke of Schaeffler. The panel will cover technical challenges, business adoption, and the ongoing effort to develop safety standards for humanoids.
The second day will highlight companies like Unitree and Westwood Robotics. Unitree will present its G1 humanoid at booth 652, while Westwood Robotics, a UCLA spinoff, will showcase its THEMIS robot at booth 650. Attendees can interact with both robots during networking sessions.
Also featured will be PSYONIC at booth 750, demonstrating advanced bionic hands designed partially for humanoid applications. Founder Aadeel Akhtar will close the event with a keynote on innovation in robotic prosthetics.
This year’s summit will host over 5,000 developers, 200 exhibitors, and more than 70 speakers. Attendees can expect sessions on cutting-edge robotics technologies, hands-on demos, and special events like the Women in Robotics Breakfast, a career fair, and the RBR50 Awards Dinner honoring standout robotics innovations.
As Atlas progresses toward real-world applications, the Robotics Summit & Expo offers a timely platform to discuss what’s next in humanoid robotics.
Source:https://www.therobotreport.com/behind-the-scenes-boston-dynamics-atlas-humanoid-learns-to-sequence-auto-parts/
This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.
