Boston Dynamics Atlas Performs First Backflip Dressed as Santa Claus

This spring, Boston Dynamics abandoned the use of hydraulics in the design of humanoid robots and switched to a fully electric drive. In connection with this, the robot had to be retrained to perform all the tricks, taking into account the weakening of the drive and other changes in dynamics. The transition to the new platform, apparently, was successful. On Christmas Eve, the company released a video postcard in which the electric Atlas in a Santa suit performed a backflip for the first time.

The festive video was posted on the Boston Dynamics YouTube channel. First, we see Spot, a four-legged robot, tiptoeing across an icy winter warehouse floor. Soft Christmas music plays in the background. Then the scene changes and a new character appears: the humanoid robot Atlas. 

The humanoid robot is dressed in a recognizable red and white Santa Claus suit. Even the beard is in place. Suddenly, a low, mechanical whirring sound is heard, and then Atlas suddenly jumps up and does a backflip.

The stunt in the frame is performed by a fully electric version of Atlas. The new model, which replaced the hydraulic version, demonstrates no less impressive acrobatic capabilities than its predecessor. At the same time, the modernized Atlas robot is more compact and oriented towards commercial applications, such as work in a warehouse.

Boston Dynamics makes impressive progress in developing an all-electric humanoid robot.