Watch Boston Dynamics’ human-like robot explore the outside world

What’s next? A version of the Atlas robot that can go for a run in the woods without the power tether, giving it a whole new level of autonomy.

It was originally designed to be able to walk over rugged, uneven terrain, and after several videos showing it walking over blocks in a lab, it has moved outdoors.

Developed by Boston Dynamics, which Google bought in late 2013, the 1.88-meter tall, 156-kilogram Atlas is an experimental bipedal rescue machine with two arms that can use tools for humans. It has 3D printed parts and has been upgraded earlier this year.

Atlas wasn’t just taking a walk for the exercise – Raibert said that testing the robots “out in the world” is “a totally different challenge” to training them in the lab. The robot is surprisingly capable at the task, though it does still feature the power cable tether. But even that might come off sooner rather than later.

Raibert said that the forest tests have gone well.

“I’m not saying it can do everything you can do, but you can imagine that if we keep pushing, we’ll get there”.

“Our focus is on balance and dynamics, working in the way animals and people do, moving quickly to avoid falling”. With its hydraulically actuated joints and stereo vision, Atlas is one of the most advanced robots till date.

The team behind the robot has previously tested its agility and balance by recreating the so-called “crane stance” that was made famous in the movie “The Karate Kid”.