Boston Dynamics Robot Runs, Leaps: Video

WALTHAM, MA — Run: the robots are coming. Boston Dynamics, the Waltham robotics firm, on Friday unveiled the latest version of its humanoid "Atlas" as the company prepares to sell its first products to the public. Atlas, measuring 5 feet and 165 pounds, is shown running through a field and leaping over a log in a YouTube video the company shared.

Those terrified by the running robot can relax, as the company has said there are no plans for it to be used in military or law enforcement capacities. Instead, Atlas is intended for conducting search-and-rescue missions and working in environments too harsh for humans.

Friday's footage of Atlas' athletics seem pedestrian compared to a video Boston Dynamics released in November showing the robot leaping across obstacles then performing a backflip:

Atlas robots are not for sale yet. But Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert said Friday during a technology conference that one of the company's other robots — the dog-like "SpotMini" — will go on sale next year. Raibert has said SpotMini, which can climb stairs and grab objects, could be used to help mobility-impaired people in their homes.

Boston Dynamics was created at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, purchased by Google then sold to its current owner, Japan's SoftBank.

Lead photo: The Atlas robot. (Credit: Boston Dynamics)