n TECHNOLOGY May 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 BOSTON DYNAMICS, THE DEVELOPER of the pioneering Atlas humanoid robot which has starred in many YouTube videos, has retired the original hydraulically-powered version and replaced it with a new electricallypowered successor. The electric version of Atlas will be stronger, with a broader range of movements. For example, the lastgeneration hydraulic Atlas (called HD Atlas) could already lift and manoeuvre a variety of heavy, irregular objects. The new version will build on those capabilities and Boston Dynamics is exploring several new gripper variations to meet a diverse set of manipulation needs. A video marking the retirement of the hydraulic humanoid reveals some of the robot’s mishaps over the years. Several of these show hydraulic fluid gushing out after an accident – one of the drawbacks of the fluid-powered version. Boston Dynamics is working with the Korean car-maker Hyundai, which has owned it since 2021 and is continuing to invest in the US robot-maker. Hyundai is building a new generation of automotive manufacturing capabilities, which BD says “will serve as a perfect testing ground for new Atlas applications. In the months and years ahead, we’re excited to show what the world’s most dynamic humanoid robot can really do – in the lab, in the factory, and in our lives.” Boston Dynamics’ CEO Robert Playter has told IEEE Spectrum that BD is planning proof-of-technology testing in Hyundai factories next year. Hyundai, he adds, “is really excited about this venture – they want to transform their manufacturing and they see Atlas as a big part of that.” In a similar way to the commercial rollout of Boston’s box-shifting Stretch robot, the company says it will be partnering with a small group of customers, starting with Hyundai, to test and iterate Atlas applications over the next few years. The company believes that humanoids will be most effective if they are deployed using in-depth models of facilities with lots of data about how they operate. It is equipping the robots with new AI and machine-learning tools, such as reinforcement learning and computer vision, to ensure that they can operate and adapt efficiently to complex real-world situations. BD has focused on designing robots with legs because it wanted to build machines that could balance and move dynamically, and could navigate unstructured, unknown, or antagonistic terrains with ease. The humanoid form factor, it points out, is useful for robots working in a world designed for people. Boston Dynamics says that the current humanoid form factor doesn’t limit its vision of how bipedal robots can move, what tools they need to succeed, and how they can help people to do more. The electric version of Atlas has been designed to be more powerful, dextrous and agile. The new Atlas may resemble a human form factor, but it is being equipped to move in the most efficient way possible to complete a task, rather than being constrained by a human range of movements. BD says that the electric Atlas will move in ways that exceed human capabilities, adding it is confident that it can deliver a robot uniquely capable of tackling dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks in real applications. Boston Dynamics has revealed that Spot, it’s robotic “dog”, has now been deployed in more than 1,500 applications, teaching hundreds of companies how to work alongside autonomous mobile robots. The company’s recent Orbit software for managing robot fleets and site maps, is currently available only for Spot, but Stretch and Atlas will be added in future. https://bostondynamics.com THE KOREAN ROBOT developer Rainbow Robotics, has announced a two-armed robot manipulator that moves around on wheels. The company argues that the RB-Y1 mobile robot overcomes some of the limitations of existing industrial robots. The 1.4m-tall, 131kg humanoid robot can travel at speeds of up to 2.5m/s and perform high-speed acceleration and turning operations. Excluding its three wheels, it has 22 axes, allowing complex movements. Each arm has a two-finger gripper and can carry 2kg. The arms’ seven degrees of freedom allow the RB-Y1 to perform complex tasks naturally. The robot’s “body” can move more than 50cm vertically, allowing it to perform tasks at various heights. The main support “leg” has six degrees of freedom while driving, allowing its centre of gravity to be controlled safely. The main components have already been used in existing cobots (collaborative robots) and AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), ensuring a high level of reliability and performance, according to Rainbow. The robot can be taught as a slave by linking to a master data arm. Users can set self-collision areas for both arms to prevent them from hitting each other. An AI-based simulation environment is available. The robot is powered by a 48V, 50Ah battery. Rainbow Robotics recently agreed with Schaeer and the Korea Electronics Technology Institute to co-develop AIpowered mobile dual-arm robots for autonomous manufacturing applications. The jointly developed robots will be deployed at production sites in Germany and Korea. Schaeer will develop components such as gearboxes for the mobile dual-arm robots, while Rainbow will oversee the production of the robots and develop AI-based robot operating technologies. Keti will support the application of AI technology for manufacturing processes. https://rainbow-robotics.com/en_main Boston retires hydraulic humanoid, and reveals its electric successor Wheeled dual-arm robot manipulator rolls into view Boston Dynamics’ electrically powered Atlas humanoid robot is stronger and more agile than its hydraulic predecessor
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