Last Wednesday, Boston Dynamics announced to the public the retirement of its iconic hydraulically driven bipedal humanoid robot, the Atlas, through a video titled "Goodbye, Hydraulic Atlas." At the end of this deeply moving video, Atlas bids farewell to the audience with a solemn bow and leaves a meaningful message: "Until we meet again, Atlas".

Surprisingly, this moment of "meeting again" didn't make people wait too long. Less than a day after the retirement of the Hydraulic Atlas, Boston Dynamics followed suit with the launch of a new generation of their carefully developed all-electric Atlas robots, marking a new phase of development for the Atlas family of robots.

Humanoid robots don't have to be human-like

Despite the limited length of the 39-second short video released by Boston Dynamics, it vividly demonstrates the technological breakthrough contained in its "new electric Atlas" robot. In the video, the electric Atlas begins in a resting position, and with the faint but firm sound of the motor, its legs are bent at the knees and twisted in an unconventional human position, without the need for hand support. This seemingly lazy lying position is actually the embodiment of the robot's clever leg rotation strategy to quickly change positions.

The highlight of the electric Atlas is also its unique "flexible turn" function. Atlas, which is facing away from the camera at the beginning, first rotates its head 180 degrees to drive its upper body to rotate with it, and then its upper body rotates 180 degrees with its head again, causing the robot to smoothly pass in front of the camera until it walks out of the frame. Although the gait is still a little stiff, the electric Atlas is clearly more comfortable and smooth than many commercial humanoid robots on the market.

Boston Dynamics' Pratt noted that the electric Atlas is unique in that it can perform a series of actions beyond human physical ability, which is extremely practical. Flexible steering is particularly important in confined spaces, as these robots are designed to fit seamlessly into the existing working environment without the need for extensive site adjustments. If the robot is highly maneuverable, it can operate efficiently without changing the existing spatial layout.

According to Boston Dynamics' official evaluation, the new electric Atlas has been significantly improved from the previous hydraulic version, which is not only more powerful, but also has a wider range of motion. The new design abandons a high center of gravity, bulky structure and obvious joints, no exposed cables on the body, and a higher degree of mechanical skeleton integration, so that it is difficult to distinguish the front and back from the exterior. This further shows that Boston Dynamics' design concept for humanoid robots is not to pursue the ultimate humanoid form, but to create a new humanoid robot based on functional optimization and technological innovation.

The transformation of robotics technology into a new era

Originally funded by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the hydraulically driven Atlas robot was born to meet the challenges of rescue missions in complex environments. Over time, Boston Dynamics has significantly updated its design and functionality, giving it the ability to run, jump, and perform a variety of gymnastic moves. However, the inherent limitations of hydraulic systems, such as high costs, loud operating noise, limited adaptability due to pre-programmed movements, and maintenance challenges due to increased volume and weight, have hindered the widespread use of Atlas robots in a wide range of applications.

With the development of AI technology, especially large-scale models, Boston Dynamics has made strategic adjustments to its technology path, moving towards a higher level of automation and embodied intelligence. The hydraulic version of the Atlas seems to reflect the end of an old era in this technological revolution, while a more practical and cost-effective system of robotics is emerging.

Looking back at the historical point, when Tesla first introduced the Optimus robot, Elon Musk sketched a vivid picture of the future of all-round robots: such robots can work in factories around the clock, and can also handle household chores such as shopping and cooking in daily life. While this vision is very attractive, in reality, the progress of robotics still needs to be made steadily.

While the industry is currently buzzing about the possibility of multifunctional general-purpose humanoid robots, most robotic systems are still focused on handling basic tasks, such as moving objects from point A to point B. In order to truly realize the all-round application of robots in a variety of complex scenarios, it depends on broader and in-depth breakthroughs in intelligent technology.

What is the investment value of the electric Atlas robot?

Technological innovation ability:

The electric Atlas is the latest generation of Boston Dynamics' humanoid robots, showcasing cutting-edge technology in complex motion control, autonomous navigation, perception technology, and energy efficiency. Investors can evaluate its technological leadership, how well it meets future market demand, and its possible competitive advantage in the same industry.

Business Application Scenarios and Development Potential:

The electric Atlas robot is designed to better adapt to the complex environments and work tasks of the real world, including but not limited to search and rescue, logistics, building construction, manufacturing, etc. Investors need to have a deep understanding of its value in real-world application scenarios and the market sectors that may be explored in the near future.

Cost & Profitability:

Compared to the hydraulic version, the electric Atlas robot has improved noise, energy consumption and maintenance costs, which means that its operating costs may be lower and easier to commercialize. Investors should pay attention to the possibility of declining production costs and the profitability brought by commercialization.

Industry Development Trends and Policy Environment:

Globally, the service robot industry is developing rapidly, and the support policies of governments for robotics are becoming increasingly clear. Investors need to consider the overall growth trend of the industry, as well as the impact of relevant domestic and foreign policies on the market promotion of electric Atlas robots.

Investment Risk and Return Expectation:

Investment in high-tech products is usually accompanied by high risks, such as failure of technology research and development, market demand not meeting expectations, and competitors' technological catch-up. Investors need to comprehensively evaluate the technical maturity, market acceptance, and potential benefits of the electric Atlas robot, and weigh the risks and rewards.