Boston Dynamics Atlas Robot Performs Backflip and Cartwheel

Key Takeaways

1. Atlas robot is gaining features from its hydraulic-driven predecessor, Atlas HD.
2. The robot has successfully performed complex maneuvers, like backflips and cartwheels, while maintaining balance.
3. Boston Dynamics shares the training process, showing both successes and falls during the robot’s development.
4. Increasing Atlas’s running speed presents challenges, as it often suffers damage during high-speed tests.
5. A modified version of Atlas has been introduced for businesses, differing in appearance from the research model.


Boston Dynamics’ latest Atlas robot is gradually acquiring the features of its hydraulic-driven predecessor known as Atlas HD. A new video released by Boston Dynamics and the RAI Institute highlights Atlas executing a backflip right after a cartwheel, and impressively, the humanoid robot maintains its balance and suffers no damage during the performance.

Capturing the Journey

As is common for Boston Dynamics, the company reveals the process behind these achievements. Viewers can witness the robot tumbling during this intricate maneuver, but these falls are not particularly concerning. The robot typically manages to stabilize itself during these daring feats.

Progress and Challenges

However, training Atlas to increase its running speed seems to be more challenging, as the robot tends to lose parts after face-planting or colliding with pallets. On a brighter note, the researchers have succeeded in getting Atlas to walk in a more fluid manner. Previously, the robot often appeared clumsy while moving at a slower pace, but this hasn’t significantly impacted its commercial utility so far.

New Enterprise Model

Atlas has now been introduced in a modified form as a product for businesses. This new version lacks the sleek appearance of the research model, which seems to have reached its limit. The experiments shown in the video were said to be “one final push to test the limits” of the robot’s capabilities.

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