The Atlas robot from Boston Dynamics is constantly being improved and perfected. — Photography Courtesy of Boston Dynamics/AFP Relaxnews
The humanoid robot Atlas never ceases to amaze. Already capable of carrying and moving heavy loads without outside help, it will now undergo special training to enable it to operate completely autonomously by interacting with its surroundings.
Boston Dynamics has joined forces with the Robotics & AI Institute to advance its humanoid robots through reinforcement learning. In robotics, this is a machine learning technique that involves making decisions by interacting directly with the environment. With each action performed, the robot receives a reward or penalty, which helps it to adjust its strategy in order to maximise the rewards gained over time. This type of learning is therefore based on a whole process of trial and error, all without direct human supervision.
The idea is to improve the robot's behavior, particularly in the absence of a human nearby, so that it can "work” autonomously, adjusting its movements according to its missions and everything that surrounds it.
Today, Atlas is one of the most dynamic humanoid robots in the world. It is fully electric and designed for practical uses, particularly in terms of logistics and handling. The aim is that it can one day be marketed on a large scale to work in factories and relieve human workers of repetitive and physically demanding tasks. In 2024, Boston Dynamics released a video showing it performing tasks autonomously, without human intervention. It was handling various goods while operating in an environment simulating factory work.
This partnership with the Robotics & AI Institute aims to further strengthen Atlas's capabilities, with a focus on reinforcement learning to improve its skills in manipulation and locomotion, regardless of its environment, whether it consists solely of machines or also features humans. It should be noted that Boston Dynamics and the research organization have already collaborated on the famous four-legged robot Spot, enabling it to reach a top speed of 18.5 km/h. – AFP Relaxnews
