What: Boston Dynamics has come a long way since it first started making its robots.
In a new video, the company demonstrates its Altas robot perform a perfect sequence of dynamic maneuvers.
How: The company used new techniques to “streamline the development process” creating the maneuvers, allowing for a much faster process compared to previous routines.
“First, an optimization algorithm transforms high-level descriptions of each maneuver into dynamically-feasible reference motions. Then Atlas tracks the motions using a model predictive controller that smoothly blends from one maneuver to the next.”, the creators explain.
Well, the new technique seems to have worked out well because it reportedly led to an 80% performance success rate.
Atlas has previously amazed us with its excellent parkour (and backflip) skills.
The backstory: Boston Dynamics is a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group whose Vision Fund has in excess of $100 billion to invest in AI and emerging tech. It acquired the robotics company from Alphabet in 2017 for an undisclosed amount.
