Boston Dynamics explains the peculiar getting-up of the humanoid Atlas robot
The humanoid Atlas robot performs some strange contortions to get up from a lying position. An engineer explains why.
Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot performs awkward contortions when getting up.
(Image: Boston Dynamics/Screenshot)
Already at the introduction of the humanoid electric Atlas successor, Boston Dynamics showed how the robot can get up from a lying position. Initially, it was assumed that the contortions the robot performs were a publicity stunt. Now, an engineer from Boston Dynamics explains why Atlas does not get up like a human and what is behind the peculiar-looking getting-up behavior.
Humans would get up from a lying position without thinking, whereas humanoid robots have to consider and calculate every single movement, explains the Boston Dynamics engineer in a video. Humans can rely on their tactile feedback, which comes from their entire body. The robot, on the other hand, only has a few sensors to calculate correct getting-up movements from their data. This can lead to a robot kicking itself in the arm, for example. Something like that cannot happen to a human.
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Therefore, at the beginning of the getting-up process from a lying position, the Atlas robot first sorts its limbs so that none of them are in the way. Additionally, it tucks its fingers into a fist-like position so they are not accidentally damaged. Atlas then positions its feet from a prone position to the sides of its upper body from behind. This ensures, on the one hand, that the feet do not touch anything and, on the other hand, that the foot sensors provide exact measurements for the getting-up movement.
Jerky, energy-efficient getting up
From this position, Atlas rises to a standing position. The robot is moved over its center of gravity as quickly as possible to compensate for the lack of tactile perception of the entire body. This also reduces the energy required for this movement. In this phase, the robot can also detect anomalies, such as faulty measurements, if the robot moves while it is stationary. Then it can abort the getting-up process and immediately return to a lying position safely.
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Other humanoid robots use different getting-up strategies to rise from a lying position in an energy-efficient and safe manner. This is easier for smaller and lighter robots like the Unitree G1 than for the nearly 90 kg Atlas.
(olb)
