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VIDEO: Boston Dynamics Shows Off Latest Robot 'Handle'

Handle stands 6.5 feet tall, can travel at 9 miles per hour and jump four feet in the air.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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We already got a peek at Boston Dynamics' latest robot thanks to a leaked video, but now the Alphabet-owned firm is ready to officially introduce the world to its new rolling nightmare.

Dubbed Handle, the research bot is taller and more athletic than most humans, with a body that morphs like a Transformer. It stands 6.5 feet tall, can travel at 9 miles per hour and jump four feet in the air.

Boston Dynamics on Monday posted a video of Handle in action. Check it out below to see the robot buzzing around a warehouse, doing spins like an ice skater, traversing uneven surfaces, doing squats, picking up and transporting 100-pound crates, and jumping hurdles.

One might think stairs might trip up Handle, given that it's got wheels on the end of each leg. Not so. The thing handles stairs like a pro. Then, after conquering stairs, Handle can be seen in the video rolling down a snow and slush-covered hill, all while keeping its balance.

The robot "uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators, with a range of about 15 miles on one battery charge," Boston Dynamics wrote in the video's description. "Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles found in the quadruped and biped robots we build, but with only about 10 actuated joints, it is significantly less complex."

Boston Dynamics added that the combination of wheels and legs gives Handle "the best of both worlds."

"Wheels are efficient on flat surfaces while legs can go almost anywhere," they wrote.

We first got a look at Handle earlier this month when venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson posted a video of the robot captured during a live presentation to investors.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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