The Atlas robot designed by Google subsidiary Boston Dynamics has already inspired terror around the world thanks to its eerily humanoid design and impressive coordination.But as with all things robot-related, the future can't be stopped: today, a whole new Atlas was unveiled—Atlas Unplugged, if you will— and it's faster, stronger, and more mobile than its predecessor. It was created to participate in an upcoming competition being held by DARPA, the US military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. DAPRA is seeking the perfect disaster response robot—a machine that can run into dangerous situations and help save humans at risk.
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Seven teams of researchers around the country will each be getting their own redesigned Atlas robot in the coming weeks, which they will need to program and test ahead of the DARPA Robotics Challenge finals taking place this June 5th and 6th. Some teams used the old Atlas last year in an earlier round of the challenge to mixed results. Four teams will be using their own robots.But the robot the teams are getting this time around getting bares little resemblance to its fearsome, Terminator-esque predecessor having been remade with 75 percent new parts. The same rough height and weight, the new Atlas is covered with several white plastic panels and more closely resembles one of the droids out of the Star Wars prequels. In fact, "only the lower legs and feet" remain from the old Atlas, according to DARPA.
Old Atlas. Image: Boston Dynamics
Atlas Unplugged. Image: DARPA
The biggest change on the new Atlas is the battery pack: previously, the robot dragged a long cable behind it that led to an external power source. But the rules of the upcoming competition state that challengers must control their robot entirely wirelessly, so that had to go. The new lithium-ion battery will allow Atlas a full hour of activity "walking, standing, use of tools, and other movements."The robot also contains a new variable pressure pump that drives its movements, which DARPA says makes it "much, much quieter than before." Its arms have been lowered compared to its predecessor to give controllers a better view of their workspace through the robot's front camera, and it will ship with new wrists the better to open doors. Atlas has gotten stronger too, thanks to new hip, knee and back joints.All of which is to say, it's a good thing that this robot is on our side.