Boston Dynamics released a new demonstration video of its humanoid robot Atlas, showing it lifting and moving a fridge and then delivering a drink to a researcher.

On May 18, overseas media including IT outlet TechRadar reported that the video shows Atlas carrying and placing real objects and includes the learning process behind the motion.

The core of the demonstration is not a simple performance but a direction as a working robot. Atlas is being developed with the goal of being deployed in manufacturing sites before homes. Boston Dynamics is focusing its development capabilities on bringing field deployment closer by designing the system around low cost, simplicity and reliability.

In the video, Atlas lifted an unplugged 50-pound mini fridge and moved it to a table before carefully setting it down. It then stepped back so a researcher could take out a canned drink. Researchers said Atlas lifted 100 pounds without difficulty in laboratory tests.

Vinay Kamidi (비나이 카미디), an Atlas research engineer at Boston Dynamics, said, "To become a tool like a person, you ultimately have to interact with objects." He added, "Objects exist in all shapes and sizes."

Its mechanical structure also draws attention. The new Atlas is not constrained by a human-level range of motion in its joints and can rotate its upper body 360 degrees. According to details released in January, it has 56 degrees of freedom, can swap its own battery and can lift up to 110 pounds. Rather than emphasizing a humanlike appearance like Tesla Optimus or Figure AI's Figure 03, its design is closer to a focus on fast movement, agility and logistics-type tasks.

To implement the motion, Boston Dynamics conducted large-scale simulation training. Researchers first created an animation of the task, then repeatedly trained it in a computer environment for millions of hours to lift, move and set down the fridge. When applied to real hardware, Atlas carried out the task in a single attempt. Tasks that people quickly become familiar with require large-scale simulation for robots, but Boston Dynamics said artificial intelligence is increasing the learning speed.

Attention is focused on how far Atlas can expand its range of tasks in manufacturing sites. An official said, "We still have not seen the limit of what Atlas can do," adding, "The future is limited only by our imagination." The demonstration clearly showed that Boston Dynamics is shaping the robot into a factory work platform beyond Atlas' strength and flexibility.