Boston Dynamics Unveils a Significant Advancement in Humanoid Robot Mobility

Chinese humanoid robots are advancing rapidly with remarkable agility, but Boston Dynamics remains a pioneer in the field. A new video of its swivel-jointed Atlas robot showcases its ability to run, cartwheel, and even breakdance, reaffirming its position at the cutting edge of humanoid mobility.

That said, it’s important to note that many companies—such as Tesla, Figure, Sanctuary, and Agility—are less concerned with acrobatics. Their primary focus is on developing robots that can efficiently handle practical tasks like picking up and placing objects, prioritizing functionality over fluid human-like movement.

While not as entertaining to watch, these practical applications of humanoid robots have the potential to reshape the world far more than athletic feats ever could.

That said, witnessing AI-driven robots evolve from unsteady, toddler-like movements into fluid, confident navigation of human spaces is nothing short of astonishing. Just as dance and gymnastics showcase human mastery of movement, the rapid progress of these machines is equally mesmerizing.

Unitree’s G1 Humanoid

Chinese robotics company Unitree has been making impressive strides with its compact, lightweight G1 humanoid. You might recognize it for its remarkable $16,000 starting price, its synchronized dance routines with humans, or its predecessor, the H1—the first humanoid of its kind to perform a backflip using electric motors instead of hydraulics.

Now, Unitree has taken things a step further: the G1 can execute side flips.

It’s also among the first humanoid robots to walk with a natural, confident stride rather than the stiff, awkward gait typical of many early models. As demonstrated in the video below, a recent “agile upgrade” has even enabled it to jog.

It’s certainly impressive, but let’s not forget the pioneer in humanoid robotics—Boston Dynamics. The company has just unveiled new footage of its remarkable Atlas robot, pushing natural movement to an entirely new level. Take a look:

Let’s clear this up—that’s not crawling, my friend. But just look at that walk! A bit stiff-armed, perhaps, but it genuinely appears to be walking rather than just taking a series of steps.

Notice how it initiates a run, leaning forward to accelerate and shifting its torso back to slow down. The level of stability and control on display is something the Boston Dynamics team must take great pride in.

Atlas Redefines Motion with 360-Degree Rotational Agility

The rolls and tumbles are also looking more natural, and it’s fascinating to see how Atlas uses its swiveling hips to turn a handstand into a roundoff and even stand up with its head facing backward. This is one of the most intriguing aspects of Atlas—it features 360-degree rotation at the hips, waist, arms, and neck, allowing it to reorient itself without needing to turn its entire body at once.

The breakdancing move and cartwheel are just the cherry on top—they’re undeniably impressive to watch. But what truly fascinates me is how confidently the AI is learning to control these robotic bodies in the real world.

As humans learn to walk, run, and navigate their surroundings, we instinctively anticipate balance shifts and adjust dynamically in real time. That’s exactly what we’re witnessing these AI systems begin to master.

Humanoid robotics is still in its infancy, but seeing Atlas and its counterparts interact with the physical world in the same way GPT models process information—it feels like science fiction coming to life. Atlas is already moving more fluidly than Kryten.

While these robots will primarily be deployed in factories as they enter the workforce, it’s becoming increasingly clear that human-android interactions in everyday life are on the horizon—sooner than most of us ever expected.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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