Boston Dynamics Atlas Review: Specs and Uses of the Electric Humanoid Robot
Updated: 7 days ago
Boston Dynamics Atlas is an electric humanoid robot 1.9 m tall that weighs 90 kg, lifts up to 50 kg and has 56 degrees of freedom. The manufacturer does not publish a price, and the robot is not yet broadly available. This review covers its specifications, capabilities and intended uses.
Quick Verdict
The electric Atlas is the industrial successor to the hydraulic research robot of the same name. Its published figures are the strongest of any humanoid with an official specification: a sustained payload of 30 kg and 50 kg for short lifts, a reach of 2.3 m, IP67 sealing and joints that rotate continuously, beyond the range of human joints. It walks to a station and swaps its own battery, so it can work around the clock. It is aimed at material handling in factories. The limit is access: Boston Dynamics is starting with a small group of early adopters, and Hyundai is running the first customer pilot.
Boston Dynamics Atlas at a Glance
Height: 1.9 m
Weight: 90 kg
Payload: 50 kg instantaneous, 30 kg sustained
Reach: 2.3 m
Degrees of freedom: 56
Price: not published
Boston Dynamics Atlas Technical Specifications
The table below lists the published specifications of Atlas.
Specification | Boston Dynamics Atlas |
Manufacturer | Boston Dynamics |
Height | 1.9 m |
Weight | 90 kg |
Payload | 50 kg instantaneous; 30 kg sustained |
Reach | 2.3 m |
Degrees of freedom | 56 |
Joint range | Continuous rotation |
Battery life | 4 hours |
Battery change | Self-swappable |
Protection rating | IP67 |
Operating temperature | -20 °C to 40 °C |
Sensing | Tactile sensing and a 360° camera view |
Design and Build Quality
Atlas is larger and heavier than most humanoids, and it is built for load: 30 kg carried continuously is several times what small humanoids manage. Its joints turn without the limits of a human body, so the robot can rotate its torso or limbs fully instead of stepping around, which saves time in a work cell. IP67 protection and a range of -20 °C to 40 °C are specifications of industrial equipment. Hands with tactile sensing and cameras all around support handling tasks.
Software and Operation
Autonomy
Atlas works with minimal supervision on material handling tasks, including barcode scanning and integration into workflows.
Fleet Learning
A skill learned by one robot is shared with the whole fleet.
Orbit
Through the Orbit software the robot connects to manufacturing and warehouse systems, and operators oversee the fleet and follow its performance.
Battery Swapping
The robot walks to a charging station and exchanges its own battery.
Boston Dynamics Atlas Uses
Atlas is aimed at material handling in industry.
Part Sequencing
Hyundai is testing Atlas in a facility on real sequencing tasks, in which parts are sorted into the order needed by the assembly line.
Machine Tending and Order Building
The maker also names loading of machines and building of orders.
Availability
Atlas is not broadly available; Boston Dynamics is beginning with selected early adopters.
Boston Dynamics Atlas Price and Value
Boston Dynamics does not publish a price for Atlas.
For the company behind the product, read the Boston Dynamics Company Profile: History, Ownership, Robots and Leadership.
Pros and Cons
Pros
30 kg sustained and 50 kg instantaneous payload
2.3 m reach and continuous joint rotation
IP67 protection
Changes its own battery
Integration with factory systems through Orbit
Cons
Not yet broadly available
90 kg weight
No published price
First customer pilot still in progress
Who Should Follow Boston Dynamics Atlas?
Atlas is relevant to large manufacturers planning for humanoid material handling; for now it is open only to selected early adopters.
Boston Dynamics Atlas FAQ
How much does Boston Dynamics Atlas cost?
Boston Dynamics does not publish a price.
How tall and heavy is Atlas?
1.9 m tall and 90 kg.
How much can Atlas lift?
50 kg for an instantaneous lift and 30 kg sustained.
How many degrees of freedom does Atlas have?
56.
How long does the Atlas battery last?
4 hours, and the robot swaps its own battery.
Is Atlas waterproof?
It is rated IP67.
Can I buy Atlas?
Not generally. Boston Dynamics is starting with a select group of early adopters.
Who is testing Atlas?
Hyundai is running a customer pilot on part sequencing.
Specifications are based on manufacturer information and may change.
