Remember Atlas, the anthropomorphic robot created by Boston Dynamics, already developers of the legendary BigDog?
The continuous improvements to which Atlas is constantly subjected have produced increasingly advanced versions: the android slowly began to balance, then walk, then jump.
Today he is able to use his entire body (arms, legs and torso) to perform a series of very advanced dynamic maneuvers. Today more than ever it is astonishing to see a machine move in a way that is increasingly similar to a well-trained human being.
Faster
The latest improvements stem from new techniques that have accelerated development processes.
First among all an optimization algorithm capable of transforming the "description" of a maneuver (a sort of musical score) into actual actions carried out by Atlas.
Secondly, a new predictive model that allows Atlas to link the various actions together in a coherent and conservative way, as a natural person would instinctively.
Using these new approaches, Atlas' routine has become faster than ever, allowing a maneuvering efficiency of 80%.
Every 10 movements, in other words, Atlas makes 2 mistakes. One day he will do everything perfectly, and it will be then that I will ask him to take the next step: go and throw paper and cardboard in my place.
