World’s most advanced humanoid robot, ATLAS, goes for a run in the park
As the field of robotics continues to advance we're beginning to witness the first signs of the emergence of robots that, outside of their traditional factory setting, could be truly useful.
Key takeaways
- With their advanced sensors, hiding from robots has never been an option, but running from their often plodding frames has been, until now.
- Three years ago former Google robotics outfit Boston Dynamics demonstrated its Terminator-like humanoid Atlas robot running through a forest tethered to a machine.
- Watch Atlas run The new video shows Atlas running in what can only be described as a showy jog, striding with purpose and hinting that at any stage it might break into a lightning-quick sprint.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2018) 'World’s most advanced humanoid robot, ATLAS, goes for a run in the park', 311 Institute, 17 May. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/worlds-most-advanced-humanoid-robot-atlas-goes-for-a-run-in-the-park/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
With their advanced sensors, hiding from robots has never been an option, but running from their often plodding frames has been, until now. ATLAS, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, can now run after you, and if you're thinking that running over rough terrain could save you, well, sorry my friend, Atlas mastered the art of walking over rocks last year. And Parkour, I almost forgot to mention that one. Sorry... oh and balancing. Okay, I'm done now.
Three years ago former Google robotics outfit Boston Dynamics demonstrated its Terminator-like humanoid Atlas robot running through a forest tethered to a machine. Now that same hauntingly human robot can now run across and navigate uneven terrain unaided, bounding over the trickiest of obstacles … such as a log.
Watch Atlas run
The new video shows Atlas running in what can only be described as a showy jog, striding with purpose and hinting that at any stage it might break into a lightning-quick sprint.
The new Atlas is actually smaller and lighter than is forbearer, weighing 80kg and standing tall at 1.75 metres (5 feet 9 inches), and there’s even been a version fitted with wheels allowing it to zip across rooms, jump on to tables and terrify human observers.
Now though the biped robot has seemingly conquered jogging across grass, which means not even park run is safe from the tyranny of robots, and as for what’s next? Well, it's probably just going to get faster and better at everything, so it's time to get your running shoes on and start training for the time when the robots take over... faster, faster, faster. Ah, forget it.
What this means for your organisation
Movement is the new milestone.
Three years ago Atlas ran through a forest tethered to a machine. Now it runs across uneven terrain unaided and bounds over obstacles such as a log. Robots that move like people are leaving the demonstration stage.
Useful outside the factory.
The source points to robots that could be truly useful beyond their traditional factory setting. Atlas is smaller and lighter than before, at 80kg and 1.75 metres tall. A wheeled version can zip across rooms and jump on to tables. General purpose robots are rated Watch, with wide use expected around 2039.
Plan before the pace picks up.
Factory humanoids are tipped for wide use around 2035, so the gap between demo and deployment is closing. Leaders do not need to buy now. They should map which physical tasks in their sites could suit a robot that walks, runs and balances.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which tasks in our sites depend on moving over uneven ground or around obstacles?
- Who owns robotics watching in our organisation, and how often do they report?
- What would we need to test before a humanoid robot worked beside our staff?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
As the field of robotics continues to advance we're beginning to witness the first signs of the emergence of robots that, outside of their traditional factory setting, could be truly useful.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 17 May 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). World’s most advanced humanoid robot, ATLAS, goes for a run in the park. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/worlds-most-advanced-humanoid-robot-atlas-goes-for-a-run-in-the-park/
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