In an exciting development, Boston Dynamics has joined forces with the Robotics & AI Institute, an organization founded and led by its original CEO, Marc Raibert, to advance the capabilities of a sophisticated humanoid robot known as Atlas. This collaboration focuses on utilizing reinforcement learning, a machine learning technique that enhances a robot’s skills through trial and error, to improve Atlas’s functionality.
The newly launched initiative will prioritize refining Atlas’s skills in performing tasks like opening doors and running. By tapping into the expertise available at the Robotics & AI Institute, Boston Dynamics aims to redefine the limits of humanoid robotics and facilitate Atlas’s learning process for acquiring new skills.
Marc Raibert, the visionary behind Boston Dynamics, founded the company in 1992 after a successful tenure at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was a professor for nearly ten years. In addition to their iconic robot dog, Spot, Boston Dynamics offers a range of commercial robots, including Stretch, which is designed for moving boxes in warehouses. The company’s first hydraulic humanoid robot was launched in 2013 and has since been updated with a new electric version tailored for real-world applications.
In a strategic acquisition, Hyundai took a majority stake in Boston Dynamics in 2021, valuing the robotics company at a remarkable $1.1 billion. Following this, Hyundai established the Robotics & AI Institute with a substantial investment of $400 million, under Raibert’s leadership. The institute is dedicated to tackling AI challenges in robotics, focusing on areas such as cognitive AI, athletic AI, and the ethical implications of robotics.
The research team at the Robotics & AI Institute is committed to enhancing Atlas’s performance by concentrating on skills like object manipulation, full-body coordination, and dynamic running techniques. Collaborating with Toyota’s research division, which partnered with Boston Dynamics last year, the project seeks to boost Atlas’s adaptability and functionality across various settings and applications.
Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter has expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with the Robotics & AI Institute, highlighting the accelerated development of essential capabilities that are vital for integrating humanoid robots like Atlas into everyday scenarios. As this partnership progresses, the research team plans to share updates through regular publications and demonstrations, illustrating Atlas’s journey as a versatile tool for a wide array of tasks and environments.
