Boston Dynamics, Google reunite on next-gen Atlas humanoid

You can market Boston Characteristics, however you can not totally stop it. Almost a years after Google offered the robotics firm to SoftBank, both are interacting once more, revealing at CES 2026 that DeepMind will certainly aid make Atlas smarter with its Gemini Robotics structure versions.

The occasion additionally included Boston Characteristics’ first-ever public trial of Atlas, the launching of a productized variation of the humanoid, prepare for a robotic training facility, and a roadmap to release Atlas in Hyundai manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Initial public trial of Atlas

The teleoperated Atlas trial was subtle however acted as a suitable CES opener, offering a peek right into the robotic’s future. The variation demoed was the electrical model presented in very early 2024.

” For the very first time ever before in public, please welcome Atlas to the phase,” stated Zack Jackowski, GM of Atlas at Boston Characteristics.

It stood, strolled, swung, rotated, curved, and swung once more prior to leaving. Later on, a smooth, blue, product-ready variation was disclosed behind a drape. You can see the trial atop the web page. Boston Characteristics is running extra demonstrations, both self-governing and teleoperated, at its CES cubicle throughout the week.

Marc Raibert, Boston Characteristics creator and exec supervisor of the Robotics and AI Institute, went to the occasion. His visibility, uncommon for CES, highlighted the relevance of the statement, which was gone to by execs from Hyundai Electric motor Team, Boston Characteristics’ moms and dad firm given that its $880 million procurement in December 2020.

The model Atlas (left) aided introduce the brand-new, productized variation of Atlas at CES 2026.|Credit Report: Hyundai

Partnering with Google DeepMind on AI

While the trial took the program, the collaboration with Google DeepMind is more crucial. For humanoids to meet their pledge as multi-purpose options, they should relocate past pre-programmed regimens. Breakthroughs in AI and robotic discovering can offer Atlas the knowledge to adjust to a range of jobs and settings.

Boston Characteristics has actually progressively relied upon teleoperation, replica discovering, and simulation to educate Atlas instead of hand-coded programs. Carolina Parada, head of robotics at Google DeepMind, stated the sector is simply damaging the surface area of what’s feasible with AI.

” Jobs that need specific sensing units the robotic does not have actually are still restricted,” she stated. “However the robotic can find out nearly anything you can regularly show with teleoperation.”

Aaron Saunders tipped down as CTO of Boston Characteristics in November 2025. He invested almost 20 years at the firm. In November 2025, he introduced he was signing up with Google DeepMind as VP of robotics equipment design.

Boston Characteristics lately finished an Atlas evidence of idea for Hyundai on components sequencing. At CES, Hyundai described possible applications past vehicle, consisting of building, power, and centers administration. Gathering real-world information is costly, Parada stated, so DeepMind is checking out approaches that enable Atlas to find out without requiring to see every item beforehand.

To sustain this, Boston Characteristics and Hyundai introduced the Robotic Metaplant Application Facility (RMAC), opening up in 2026. Information accumulated from Hyundai manufacturing facilities will certainly feed the RMAC, developing a regulated setting for Atlas to educate on intricate jobs.

” No firm has even more real-world information than Hyundai Electric motor Team,” stated Wong Jae Lee.

Boston Characteristics additionally works together on AI with Toyota Study Institute and the Robotics and AI Institute, the last moneyed by Hyundai. At press time, it was vague just how the DeepMind collaboration will certainly impact these connections, however modifications might be coming.

” The job entrusted to automate is tough since the jobs differ a lot,” Boston Characteristics chief executive officer Robert Playter stated. “That’s where AI is available in.”

Contrast of the old electrical Atlas (left) and brand-new manufacturing variation.|Credit Report: Humanoid Center

Scaling the brand-new Atlas

The brand-new productized Atlas presented at CES is 6.2 feet high, has a 7.5-foot reach, totally rotational joints, and can raise to 110 extra pounds. It includes 56 levels of liberty, an IP67 score, a brand-new four-fingered hand, and a common battery life of 4 hours, with the capacity to exchange batteries autonomously. Atlas can be run autonomously, teleoperated through virtual reality headset, or regulated with a tablet computer.

Boston Characteristics stated it concentrated on streamlining the style of the brand-new variation.

” We restricted the variety of electric motors utilized throughout the robotic to remove intricacy. In addition, every one of Atlas’ arm or legs can be changed in the area in under 5 mins, for simplicity of solution and repair service. From head to toe, every item of Atlas’ equipment was developed to minimize failing factors and make it possible for simple upgrades. There will certainly additionally be training and accreditation courses to equip your onsite upkeep groups to preserve your fleet.”

” This generation of Atlas considerably lowers the quantity of one-of-a-kind components in the robotic, and every part has actually been made for compatibility with vehicle supply chains. With Hyundai Electric motor Team’s support, we will certainly accomplish the very best dependability and economic situations of range in the sector.”

All devices for 2026 are currently dedicated, delivering to the RMAC and Google DeepMind, with extra clients prepared for 2027. Hyundai intends to make as much as 30,000 humanoids each year by 2028. It stated Atlas will certainly be doing high-precision sequencing at range in 2028 and intricate setting up jobs slated for 2030.

” Our brand-new Atlas is one of the most manufacturing pleasant robotic we have actually ever before made,” stated Jackowski. “This generation of Atlas considerably lowers the quantity of one-of-a-kind components in the robotic, and every part has actually been made for compatibility with vehicle supply chains. With Hyundai Electric motor Team’s support, we will certainly accomplish the very best dependability and economic situations of range in the sector.”

” This is the very best robotic we have actually ever before developed,” stated Playter.

Humanoid buzz

Playter kept in mind the quick spreading of humanoids in the last 3– 5 years, however stated the sector’s success will certainly depend upon business maturation.

” We have a group for combination, solution, and repair service. Many various other business are doing demonstrations or offering robotics as systems, really hoping another person fixes the applications. That’s not just how we do it,” he stated.

Boston Characteristics stated it released over 500 robotics in 2025, producing around $130 million in profits throughout Place quadrupeds and the Stretch trailer packing system. Playter stated the firm’s experience scaling quadrupeds supplies lessons for humanoids.

” Some business are stating they intend to[deploy humanoids in the home first] We assume that’s the incorrect method for several factors,” stated Playter, pointing out high expenses, reduced abilities, and an absence of security requirements. “I can not wait to have a robotic aid raise me out of bed twenty years from currently. We do intend to enter into homes, simply not currently.”

The blog post Boston Characteristics, Google rejoin on next-gen Atlas humanoid showed up initially on The Robotic Record.