Boston Dynamics Atlas Timeline: Look Back on the Retired Robot and Its New Replacement

Yesterday, news about Boston Dynamics' Atlas flooded the world as the company retired it, with the old robot bidding its final wave to the audience.

However, it was because Boston Dynamics was gearing up for its new and improved Atlas version, showing off an electric humanoid robot that is more flexible and mobile than the previous one.

That being said, take this chance to look back at Boston Dynamics' Atlas development over the years.

Boston Dynamic's First Demo of Atlas in 2013

DARPA's Atlas, created and developed by the contractor Boston Dynamics, first unveiled the humanoid robot, which can stand on two feet, stand at six feet two inches, and weigh 290 pounds. It was touted as the "most advanced humanoid robot ever built."

This was the first iteration of the renowned humanoid bot, which became public knowledge eleven years ago.

Atlas Demonstrating His Crane Kick in from The Karate Kid

Fast-forward to a year later, and Google-owned Boston Dynamics brought several developments for Atlas in terms of its capabilities and skills.

Here, the company touted a newly acquired martial art skill akin to The Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso's signature move, the Crane Kick, which he used in the All-Valley Tournament's final match against Johnny Lawrence.

However, the robot was not shown doing the actual kick; it displayed great balance even when standing on only one foot.

DARPA Upgrades Atlas, 75% More Futuristic

In 2015, Atlas received a new upgrade from DARPA, which featured a new chest plate and claimed to have better functionality, 75 percent more futuristic in its latest developments.

However, the parts below the knees of the humanoid bot remained unchanged, and the focus remained more on its upper torso.

Atlas is Sent to the Wild Outdoors

Boston Dynamics and Atlas spent time in the wild, letting it loose on the outdoors, away from the controlled environment, and created obstacles where the robot usually showcases its skills and capabilities.

This version was touted to be yet again "The Next Generation" of Atlas, detailing the robot's steps in going out of the company building and exploring the wilderness around it.

Evolving Atlas: Backflips and Walking on Uneven Terrain

After obstacle courses and setting its foot in the wild, Atlas was back indoors again and added a new gymnastic skill where the humanoid bot was made to do a backflip, which it was successful in doing. That alone is better than average humans who still cannot do a backflip.

Additionally, it was shown how Atlas can now handle walking on uneven terrain, particularly a rocky path where it did not slip or fall but was still challenged by it.

Later, Atlas was made to complete a Ninja Warrior-esque obstacle course and perform a gymnastics routine, showing off its next-gen capabilities to everyone.

Atlas Taking on the Dance Floor, Work, and its Farewell

Boston Dynamics is famous for making its robots dance, including the Spot robot dog, and surely, Atlas did not miss out on the floor to show its moves.

Additionally, Boston Dynamics also demonstrated how Atlas can do human tasks, from throwing toolboxes in support to other construction workers, down to handling a car's struts and putting it on shelves, the humanoid bot can be programmed for various tasks.

Yesterday, the company gave a heartfelt tribute to Atlas, with the robot bidding farewell after more than a decade of its existence, only to see the New Atlas unveiled by the company earlier today, now sporting a more flexible body and a ring-light-equipped head, touted as Atlas' electric era.