Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Just Got Smarter – How Large Behavior Models Are Shaping the Future of Humanoids
Boston Dynamics, together with Toyota Research Institute, is pushing humanoid robots to the next level with Atlas. To be genuinely useful, humanoids need to handle a wide range of tasks—everything from delicately picking up small objects to shifting heavy ones, all while staying balanced and reacting to surprises.
Their solution? Large behavior models—think of them as AI brains that help Atlas turn language commands into precise, full-body movements. So if you say, “Put that part on the shelf,” Atlas not only understands what to grab, but also how to step, crouch, and avoid knocking itself over in the process.
The training comes from humans using VR headsets to teleoperate Atlas, almost like piloting a very advanced avatar. These demonstrations feed into neural networks, giving the robot the ability to learn from experience and generalize across many tasks. Drop a part on the floor? No problem—Atlas can adapt and recover.
Boston Dynamics calls this the foundation for general-purpose robots—machines that can take on almost any job we can show them. Today it’s assembling and sorting parts. Tomorrow, maybe something more ambitious. The point is: with these large behavior models, humanoids are getting a lot closer to working alongside us in real-world environments.
And that’s your robot news update for today!
If you’re curious about how robotics can transform your business, join me for the weekly Live Robot Optimise Workshop — it’s packed with insights, trends, and practical tips. Don’t forget to subscribe so you stay in the loop with all the latest updates.
I’m RoboPhil from Robot Philosophy — thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!
Join our Robot Optimise Industry (ROI) Workshop: https://robophil.com/
Sponsors:-
Robot Center: – https://robotcenter.co.uk/ – Buy Robot, Robot Buy, Robot consultancy, Robotics Consultancy
Robots of London: – https://robotsoflondon.co.uk/ – Robot Hire, Robot Rental, Rent Robot, Hire Robot, Robot Events
Robot Philosophy: – https://robophil.com/ – Robot Consultancy AND Robot Recruitment, Robot Advice, Robot Insights, Robot Ideas