Boston Dynamics Dumps Hydraulics, Unveils All-Electric Atlas Robot

Boston Dynamics announced earlier this week that it was retiring its hydraulic Atlas humanoid robot. But the company best known for its creepy robot videos isn't giving up on bipedal machines. Boston Dynamics has unveiled a new electric Atlas that doesn't just move like a human—it improves on human flexibility. Naturally, there's a video demonstrating the new Atlas robot, and it's a bit unsettling.

The hydraulic Atlas could walk, run, and even do parkour. Boston Dynamics spent years perfecting the technology that lets Atlas balance on two legs, which is seen as an important skill for robots. After all, they have to inhabit a world built around human bodies. However, Atlas' hydraulic tubes were a weak point, often blowing out when the robot attempted tricky maneuvers. Boston Dynamics gave the old Atlas a video send-off featuring some of its best bloopers.

Consider that a refresher ...