At CES 2026 Boston Dynamics discussed the latest iteration of its human-like Atlas robots. This robotics product then went on to draw the interest of South Korean conglomerate Hyundai and Google DeepMind.
Evaluation models of the updated Atlas were revealed during Hyundai Motor Group’s media briefing at the US-based event. The company separately detailed an intention to up its use of the robots at domestic and US vehicle manufacturing facilities by 2028.
Boston Dynamics intends to commence production of its latest Atlas robots immediately and stated its order book for 2026 is full. CEO Robert Playter said the latest model is its best yet and predicted it would significantly change industries. The latest Atlas delivers on the company’s long-standing target of providing “useful robots”, he said.
Boston Dynamics explained Atlas is configured for industrial tasks including material handling and order fulfilment. It has self-learning capabilities, the ability to lift items weighing up to 50kg and can change its own batteries.
Atlas offers 56-degrees of freedom, features fully rotational joints and provides a reach of 2.3m. Operating temperatures span -20deg C to 40deg C.
DeepMind
Boston Dynamics separately detailed a partnership with Google DeepMind to develop AI for robots.
The plan is to imbibe the latest Atlas with Google’s Gemini Robotics AI foundation models to boost the devices’ industrial capabilities.
“We developed our Gemini Robotics models to bring AI into the physical world,” Carolina Parada, senior director of robotics at Google DeepMind, said.
A programme of joint research is scheduled to begin in the coming months, all part of a plan Boston Dynamics director of robot behaviours Alberto Rodriguez said is targeting the creation of “new kinds of visual-language-action models for these complex robots”.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Stock Image