Atlas is Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot introduced in 2013.
Boston Dynamics developed Atlas with funding from the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The company introduced the robot in 2013 as part of the DARPA Robotics Challenge, which focused on machines capable of assisting during disaster-response tasks designed for humans.
Atlas has two legs, two arms, a torso, and sensor-equipped control systems. Over successive versions, demonstrations showed it walking over uneven ground, carrying objects, opening doors, climbing, and performing athletic movements. These demonstrations highlighted dynamic balance and whole-body control rather than simple fixed industrial repetition.
Atlas is often confused with Spot, Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot, or Stretch, a warehouse automation system. Atlas is the humanoid platform. Boston Dynamics announced a new electric version in 2024, following the retirement of the earlier hydraulic research platform.