Move Over Terminator, Make Room for ATLAS

DARPA's most advanced humanoid yet, ATLAS

Defense contractors rolled out ATLAS, one of the most advanced humanoids ever built, at the DARPA Robotics Challenge conducted Thursday. The robot has two arms, two legs and stands over six-feet tall. It weighs in at 330 lbs. and has 28 hydraulically activated joints that assist in natural movement and what is termed “user-programmed behavior”.

ATLAS can walk up stairs, climb over objects and maneuver its way around obstacles. The advanced robot can withstand hits from heavy objects and is equipped with a variety of sensors that alert its human operator to environmental factors.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency reported ATLAS may increase abilities of first responders during disaster scenarios. They also reported that ATLAS is but one of the robots in its increasing arsenal.

“We have dramatically raised the expectations for robotic capabilities,” said Gill Pratt, program manager for the DARPA Robotics Challenge.