Atlas is Back!
Built by the Boston Dynamics Incorporation in the USA, HKU’s Atlas is one of the 7 full-sized humanoid Atlas robots in the world. Research on humanoid robots serves as one of the objectives in the “Advanced Robotics Initiative” as a long-term, high-impact multidisciplinary research programme aiming to foster leading-edge technology development in HKU. Atlas has just returned from the States after a major upgrade, which enables him to work in independent power source and wireless communications by carrying a battery system in his white backpack. Without the previous power cable, he is now able to walk around in large shop floors and premises, or even disaster sites.
Click on the video below for Atlas’ new look and recent performance:
The Californian June 5-6 DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals 2015
Atlas is now preparing for the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC), in which robot systems and software teams from twenty five of the top robotics organizations in the world vie to develop robots capable of assisting humans in responding to natural and man-made disasters. The Challenge will take place at Fairplex in Pomona, California. Apart from university teams including MIT and Carnegie Mellon University, industrial organizations such as NASA as well as Lockheed Martin will also be competing in the event.
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| HKU’s Atlas featuring in DRC Miami Trial 2013, with the old external power cable attached at his back. |
“Open-door” task - Atlas using a hammer tool to turn a door handle and walk himself through. |
Atlas balancing himself while walking through a pile of rubbles in a simulated disaster site. |
More event details can be found at www.theroboticschallenge.org