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Watch Boston Dynamics' Atlas Robot Do Parkour

Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot has a new skill: parkour, the act of getting from point A to B in the fastest way possible. Watch as it hops over a large log before gracefully scaling three, 15-inch offset platforms with ease.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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After nailing a backflip last fall, Boston Dynamics' humanoid robot Atlas has been learning some new tricks of the parkour variety.

The Softbank-owned robotics company just posted a short YouTube video showing off Atlas' newest feats. In the 30-second video, the robot hops over a large log before gracefully scaling three, 15-inch offset platforms with ease.

Check out the robot's fast footing for yourself in the video below. Take note how it's able to land on one foot, then transfer to the other.

"The control software uses the whole body including legs, arms and torso, to marshal the energy and strength for jumping over the log and leaping up the steps without breaking its pace," Boston Dynamics wrote in the video's description. The robot uses computer vision technology to "locate itself with respect to visible markers on the approach to hit the terrain accurately."

Boston Dynamics calls Atlas "the world's most dynamic humanoid." The robot stands at 4'9'', weighs 165 pounds, has 28 joints, and can carry a payload up to 24 pounds. Outfitted with a myriad of stereo vision, range sensing, and other sensors, Atlas can travel on rough terrain, keep its balance when shoved, and get up if it falls. The robot is also capable of dong 180-degree jumps and landing a backflip with the take-off and landing platforms at different heights.

Its athleticism is impressive, no doubt, and a bit unnerving.

"Boston Dynamics are basically creating the robots that will one day eradicate human kind," one commenter wrote.

Another commenter summed up what most of us are probably thinking right now: "We're all f**ked."

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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