Boston Dynamics, the pioneering robotics company, made waves on Tuesday with the retirement of its iconic humanoid robot, HD Atlas. After an impressive 11-year run filled with flips, dances, and internet fame Atlas is being replaced. On Wednesday the company introduced its successor: the new Atlas robot.
HD Atlas
The journey of Atlas began in 2013 when Boston Dynamics unveiled the first version of the humanoid robot. It was originally conceived as part of a contest project for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Built upon the foundation of the Petman project, which focused on testing protective clothing in hazardous environments, Atlas quickly captured the imagination.
The original humanoid Atlas became internet-famous. There are dozens of meme-worthy videos with tens of millions of views posted on YouTube over the years.
With its ability to perform backflips, navigate obstacle courses, and even showcase karate moves, HD Atlas became an internet sensation. Its retirement was marked with a send-off video, showcasing its capabilities one last time, including its infamous backflips and simulated pain reactions.
