Boston Dynamics Enhances Atlas with New Skills, Approaching Human-Like Abilities
The Future of Humanoid Robots: Boston Dynamics vs. Figure AI
The race to create functional humanoid robots is gaining momentum, with significant advancements from Boston Dynamics and Figure AI setting the stage for the future of automation. These developments could redefine the landscape of robotics, making them not just a novelty, but genuinely useful aids in various sectors.
Boston Dynamics and the GR2 Gripper
Boston Dynamics, well-known for their agile robots, has upgraded their Atlas model with the GR2, a revolutionary gripper that enhances the robot’s dexterity. Unlike its predecessor GR1, which featured three finger-like appendages and no thumb, the GR2 boasts a thumb and seven degrees of freedom—allowing for a wide range of motion and manipulation capabilities.
Enhancements in Gripping Technology
The GR2 gripper’s design is a game-changer. With two actuators per finger and an additional one for the thumb, the robot can now perform complex actions like two-finger pinches and stable holds on heavier objects. This enhanced functionality is pivotal for tasks requiring precision, such as assembling items or sorting irregularly shaped objects.
Tactile sensing plays a crucial role in this upgrade. The gripper incorporates sensors that detect pressure and deformation, enabling it to apply just the right amount of force—whether holding a delicate object or managing a heavier tool. Furthermore, cameras integrated into the palm provide additional visual feedback, especially in tight spaces where the primary vision might be obstructed.
Safety and Reliability Concerns
Despite the impressive technological advancements, safety remains a paramount concern. Boston Dynamics is aware of the challenges associated with robotic failures, as seen in viral testing incidents that highlighted the unpredictability of robotic movements. To counteract this, the company emphasizes rigorous balance strategies and fallback protocols to ensure the safe operation of their robots.
The Figure AI Approach: General-Purpose Humanoids
On the other side of the race is Figure AI, which has introduced the Figure03 humanoid robot aimed at broader, more versatile applications—from homes to offices. Unlike traditional industrial robots, Figure03 is intended for daily tasks: washing dishes, folding laundry, or assisting at reception desks.
Design and Functionality Improvements
Figure03 embodies several notable enhancements compared to its predecessors. For instance, its design is lighter and more compact, minimizing the risk of injury with softer, washable surfaces. This is particularly important when integrating robots into environments populated by humans.
Enhanced sensory capabilities also distinguish Figure03 from its rivals. Each camera has a significantly wider field of view, with reduced latency for more responsive interaction. The aspiring humanoid robot can detect minute pressure changes thanks to custom touch sensors, allowing it to grasp delicate items—such as a paper clip—without damaging them.
Task Performance and Real-World Applications
The robot stands at about 1.68 meters tall and weighs roughly 60 kg, with a capacity to carry up to 20 kg. It moves at 1.2 meters per second and has a battery life of up to 5 hours, with the convenience of wireless charging. Figure AI aims for mass production, targeting an initial output of 12,000 units per year, ultimately aspiring to reach 100,000.
While these specifications are impressive, skepticism remains about the robot’s actual performance in uncontrolled, real-world environments. The demos might impress, but they occur in controlled settings, raising questions about how well the robot would navigate homes filled with obstacles and unpredictability.
The Competitive Landscape
The race extends beyond just Boston Dynamics and Figure AI. Competitors like Tesla’s Optimus and Unitry’s G1 model are also pushing forward, exploring their unique capabilities. Tesla’s Optimus offers excellent balance and controlled motions, while Unitry’s G1 features anti-gravity recovery—allowing it to bounce back from falls.
The Dichotomy of Replacement vs. Augmentation
As humanoids evolve, an ongoing debate is how far they will replace human labor versus augmenting it. While the potential is there for robots to take over repetitive or hazardous tasks, they are still costly and complex. For now, they serve more to assist than to replace human workers.
Conclusion: Are We Ready for Automation’s Next Wave?
The advancements in humanoid robots are undeniably exciting. Both Boston Dynamics and Figure AI are on the brink of reshaping what we expect from robotics in our daily lives. As companies continue to innovate, the line between demos and real-world applications is blurring, making this an invigorating time for the industry.
The ongoing developments make it essential to consider not just the capabilities of these machines but also the ethical and societal implications of their integration into our lives. Are we ready for the next wave of automation, or is the industry moving too quickly for its own good?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Are these robots the future, or do we need to tread carefully as we embrace this new era? Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more insights in robotics!
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Unitree is CGI! 😂
Atlas, Figure03, Optimus…all huge leveling up this year indeed. It's been an exciting year! Anyone nit picking performance does not fully grasp the complexity of what it takes for a bot to successfully perform the perception-cognition-action loop. It not just about the physical hardware we see. It's a very complex and precise dance. These 3 companies are on fire!
What no one talks about is when these robots reach the point of prostitution. The massive development, and deployment of the internet was due, in part, to the massive about of money generated from porn sites. I see the same future with robotic technology as it becomes more mainstream.
An opposable thumb, what an ingenious idea, and that took them how long to figure out? Whatever will they come up with next?
As one of the many who have fallen back on my hand (poorly), resulting in a Colles fracture of tibia and fibula, I'm all for stronger wrist joints!
I would like to see those 3 big clumsy clumsy-looking fingers on Atlas thread a needle (stated here). Pictures of tiny parts but just holding them. Show me the meat.
Nice ❤️👍🙂🇫🇮
People are quick to cherry pick and say robots aren’t going to be a thing until years from now 😂 it’s only been a few months and they’re already doing chores at a decent pace 😂 give it another year
Maybe if we finally reach AGI, robots will be everywhere regardless 😂
Dude your hand jesters are so much better!
Mowing the lawn, spreading fertilizer, trimming bushes, buying groceries, vacuuming the house, chauffeuring, making the beds, doing the laundry, washing windows, making a meal, power washing a house or deck…a tipping point in deciding whether to buy a general labor / household service robot is convincing the market that the hired hand will more than pay for itself and not need too much training. Getting to that point will launch such robots beyond the orbit of whiz bang or the educational thrill of teaching it to do your bidding dimension, and into the realm of practical mass market adoption. This is not to consider the arena of robotics optimized for hazardous duty on sea, land and air, where the price of a human life is at stake.
Looks like Boston Dynamics is loosing the edge. After years of research they discovered 3 fingers.. and the thumb.
what happend with you face?
These robots need to function fully offline to ensure customer privacy and safety.
Thanks for the deep dive, but you missed many robots. To me, Figure is the most advanced now, and Chinese robots are improving faster than U.S. manufacturers. Please do another video covering the other models too!
Yeah, heard that
атласу нужно иметь съемные руки и 1 из них должна быть с 5 пальцами
Atlas needs to have removable hands and 1 of them should have 5 fingers.
to say that atlas is in many ways similar to V1 from ULTRAKILL is an understatement, damn, he even has replaceable hands (well, in fact, palms and not a whole hand, but still)
That talking head robot animation is one of the creepiest things I've had the displeasure of witnessing. <Blocks channel>
It's really cool that they are becoming more capable, but as for them having the intelligence to do all the things humans do every day in daily life around the home , that sounds like it might be a way off.
It will be cool when they get that far though.
No way will I let a robot in my house. Hackers will find a way to take over your robot and have it put a gun to you if you dont give hackers money.
Tell me they have thought of that and rhat they will be making the robots be offline and not run or updated from the internet.
La intención está bien pero los robots son eficientes si hacen tareas muy específicas, trabajos repetitivos, dos o tres tareas. Veo muy complicado para el robot hacer todas las tareas de casa. Quizás la gente acabe teniendo dos robots, cada uno para diferentes tareas. Me preguntó si tendrán visión nocturna los robots domésticos.