This video of Google's humanoid Atlas robot running through a forest is a game changer
It's the first time that the robot has been seen walking outside of a lab
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Your support makes all the difference.Videos of creepy robots trying their best to walk like humans (with absolutely no help from their abusive owners) are nothing new, but this new footage of the Atlas humanoid walking robot, developed by Google-owned company Boston Dynamics, is a game changer.
Usually these videos are shot in a lab, or on a treadmill - an artificial environment where the terrain that the robot is walking on can be controlled and maintained.
However, the latest video from the Boston Dynamics team, which gets funding from the US Defence budget, shows the Atlas robot running through a real forest.
It's a little unsteady on its feet at times, but that it manages to stay upright at all is quite a feat.
It gets up to a decent running speed on flat ground, but even manages to tackle a walk down a steep hill thick with foliage as well.
Marc Railbert, the founder of Boston Dynamics said: "We're interested in getting this robot out into the world."
"Out in the world is just a totally different challenge than in the lab, you just can't predict what it will be like."
"We're making pretty good progress on making it so it has mobility that's within shooting range of yours - I'm not saying it can do everything that you can do, but you can imagine, if we keep pushing, we'll get there."
It's hoped that one day the robot will be able to assist human emergency services workers in search and rescue situations, doing things like shutting off valves, turning switches, and operating equipment in environments where humans could not survive.
It's got some way to go - in this video, Atlas is still powered by a tether, meaning it's not fully 'wireless' - but once some sort of power source is integrated inside the robot, it will have unparalleled levels of motion.
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