# What's new, Atlas? (AI, Robotics and tech thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 18, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952 "2017-11-18T02:39:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/1 "2017-11-18T02:39:32Z")
[That’s the title of this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRj34o4hN4I) showing the latest development in robotics: the bipedal robot Atlas can now not only jump from place to place, both vertical and horizontally, it can also do stationary backflips! These fields are moving fast, and I propose that the Straight Dope could use a place to inform about and monitor developments. For one, I think it’ll be interesting to be able to look back in a few years and see what things have come to fruition, what has languished and what has been supplanted by something that hasn’t even been developed yet. It’s a subject that interests me enough that I spend some time most days at sites like [futurism.com](http://futurism.com) and [wired.com](http://wired.com) and [ieet.org](http://ieet.org) trying to learn about what’s happening in these and other fields; surely I’m not alone amongst Dopers in my fascination with these things, right? I’m hoping that this can be an informative and entertaining showcase; in addition to the above video, I’ll start us out with: [Goliath the carpenter robot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5h821pEA0Q) [Bender’s Dream](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qBlPa-9v_M) [Amazon Warehouse Robots](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLVCGEmkJs0) [Old Glory Insurance](http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/old-glory-insurance/n10766?snl=1) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/2 "2017-11-18T02:53:29Z")
Have you seen [this one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkv-_LqTeQA) where he’s having a bad day? (possibly NSFW=language) It’s just fascinating how he/it keeps its balance, even in the snow. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/3 "2017-11-18T03:00:26Z")
[My favorite Atlas video so far: The swearing voiceover from 2016.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onYo0N840Us) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/4 "2017-11-18T04:12:47Z")
Very funny voiceover; I may have to start using “what the fuck, Kevin?” in my day-to-day. And yeah, the balance is amazing. I thought it was amazing when they were trying to kick the various Big Dogs over, and those things had 4 legs, and were huge and noisy. [Meet Spot, the robot dog that can run, hop and open doors](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO4In7d6X-c&t=0s). Spot is very cool and the hand tech is wicked amazing. But the video also features a good recap of previous robots and includes footage of Handle, which is an Atlas/Spot hybrid with wheels (it’s freaking amazing). Then they really look at Spot in depth for a few minutes and then there’s a Q&A. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/5 "2017-11-18T17:00:21Z")
It would serve no purpose, but do you think Spot scratches fleas? I’m sure there’s a practical answer, but why was there a bannister on the steps during the one sequence (where they’re trying to interfere with it going upstairs)? Every “interference” motion in that TED clip made me hear, “WTF, Kevin!” Was I seeing things, or does Atlas have a sway in the torso (obviously for balance) as well as a “bob” (also for balance) when walking? Scary how natural the walking looks. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/6 "2017-11-18T17:06:46Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Was I seeing things, or does Atlas have a sway in the torso (obviously for balance) as well as a “bob” (also for balance) when walking? Scary how natural the walking looks. I noticed that too. You can see it in how it balances itself after the backflip too. It’s almost looked like a waldo drone with some gymnast remotely performing the moves that the robot did, but I know that isn’t the case. Getting real close to that uncanny valley, eh. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/7 "2017-11-19T01:16:51Z")
That backflip HAD to be a CGI effect! 😉 Notice how the nearest leg shook slightly just after landing? Just amazing. (Though he might lose a tenth of a point in Olympic scoring :D) What’s a waldo drone? I tried to Google it and got a bunch of hits about central Florida (Waldo is a speed trap town down here.) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/8 "2017-11-19T01:30:29Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > What’s a waldo drone? I tried to Google it and got a bunch of hits about central Florida (Waldo is a speed trap town down here.) “[Waldo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_manipulator)” is the more correct term for machines that are directly operated by a remote human (“robots” are autonomous once programmed–if there is a person pulling the strings, it ain’t a robot.) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/9 "2017-11-19T01:36:36Z")
Much obliged, Mr. Garrison. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/10 "2017-11-19T02:14:18Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > “[Waldo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_manipulator)” is the more correct term for machines that are directly operated by a remote human (“robots” are autonomous once programmed–if there is a person pulling the strings, it ain’t a robot.) Aye. I used the made-up phrase “waldo drone” because typically waldos are hard-wire controls, not wireless remote controls, and because we don’t yet think of drones as anything other than a flying machine without an onboard operator. I was imagining someone in a full body suit with sensors, similar to a green screen suit worn by actors, that wirelessly controlled the robot, because it is seriously uncanny how human the movements of Atlas can be. Perhaps I should have coined the portmanteau _waldrone_ earlier, but there; I’ve gone and coined it now anyway. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/11 "2017-11-19T02:39:50Z")
^ Works for me. How awful would it be if Mr. Motion Capture, offstage, whiffed his backflip and Atlas go SPLAT? (“F\*\*\*!”) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/12 "2017-11-19T02:43:23Z")
There’s a goof in the post-credits; didn’t you see that one? [ETA: [Start at :50](https://youtu.be/fRj34o4hN4I?t=50s)] And yeah, it too looks like a waldrone in action, it’s so lifelike in ways. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/13 "2017-11-19T02:51:00Z")
I missed that the first time around; the first recovery is not bad at all, by gum! The second was obviously Kevin screwing around (going for a “Jackass” vibe, or something). Thanks for mentioning that. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/14 "2017-11-19T02:59:28Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > There’s a goof in the post-credits; didn’t you see that one? [ETA: [Start at :50](https://youtu.be/fRj34o4hN4I?t=50s)] > > And yeah, it too looks like a waldrone in action, it’s so lifelike in ways. Are you sure Peter Weller isn’t inside that thing? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/15 "2017-11-21T05:53:39Z")
[Okay; not quite](http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/tech/2017-11/10/content_34362656.htm) > [@](#): > > A robot has passed the written test of China’s national medical licensing examination, an essential entrance exam for doctors, making it the first robot in the world to pass such an exam. > > Its developer iFlytek Co Ltd, a leading Chinese artificial intelligence company, said on Thursday that the robot scored 456 points, 96 points higher than the required marks. > > The artificial-intelligence-enabled robot can automatically capture and analyze patient information and make initial diagnosis. It will be used to assist doctors to improve efficiency in future treatments, iFlytek said. > > This is part of broader efforts by China to accelerate the application of AI in healthcare, consumer electronics, and other industries. I though this was interesting: > [@](#): > > Liu Qingfeng, chairman of iFlytek, said, “We will officially launch the robot in March 2018. It is not meant to replace doctors. Instead, it is to promote better people-machine cooperation so as to boost efficiency.” A short time later the story includes this: > [@](#): > > “General practitioners are in severe shortage in China’s rural areas. We hope AI can help more people access quality medical resources.” I suppose it would be true in one sense that no doctors were being replaced if people with no doctor started using Xiaoyi, right? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/16 "2017-11-21T14:51:33Z")
I have no problem with that, but I would hope a technician of some sort would be there to make sure nothing goze rawng. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/17 "2017-11-21T20:50:32Z")
“What’s new, Atlas?”, he asked. Atlas shrugged. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/18 "2017-11-21T21:32:07Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Very funny voiceover; I may have to start using “what the fuck, Kevin?” in my day-to-day. > > And yeah, the balance is amazing. I thought it was amazing when they were trying to kick the various Big Dogs over, and those things had 4 legs, and were huge and noisy. > > [Meet Spot, the robot dog that can run, hop and open doors](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO4In7d6X-c&t=0s). Spot is very cool and the hand tech is wicked amazing. But the video also features a good recap of previous robots and includes footage of Handle, which is an Atlas/Spot hybrid with wheels (it’s freaking amazing). Then they really look at Spot in depth for a few minutes and then there’s a Q&A. The new SpotMini is pretty cool too: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/kgaO45SyaO4/maxresdefault.jpg "The New Spot") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgaO45SyaO4) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/19 "2017-11-21T22:45:25Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > “[Waldo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_manipulator)” is the more correct term for machines that are directly operated by a remote human (“robots” are autonomous once programmed–if there is a person pulling the strings, it ain’t a robot.) Oh cool, is Waldo still the term? Heinlein would be pleased I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952/20 "2017-11-23T04:34:16Z")
[quote=“Mangetout, post:18, topic:801952”] The new SpotMini is pretty cool too: [/QUOTE] Aye; this is the same robot mentioned in [Post #4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20609172&postcount=4). The 15 minute TED Talk is really good and shows older DARPA/BD robots as well as other models, including Atlas. The one in your video has a nifty yellow shell, tho; I thought that looked sharp. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-new-atlas-ai-robotics-and-tech-thread/801952.md?page=2)