Boston Dynamics Atlas (Electric) & Agility Digit
Duration: 40 min · Level: Foundational · Module: 1. The Humanoid Landscape · Focus: boston-dynamics, atlas, agility, digit
By the end of this lesson you will be able to explain and apply:
- Electric Atlas (April 2024)
- Hyundai partnership
- Agility Digit
- RoboFab (Salem, OR)
- Digit uses a bespoke MPC-based locomotion stack with learned…
Why this matters
Boston Dynamics retired its hydraulic Atlas in April 2024 and introduced a fully electric successor — quieter, stronger, and more suitable for commercial deployment.
Overview
Boston Dynamics retired its hydraulic Atlas in April 2024 and introduced a fully electric successor — quieter, stronger, and more suitable for commercial deployment. Simultaneously, Agility Robotics (owned by Hyundai) began mass production of Digit at its RoboFab facility in Oregon, the first humanoid robot factory.
Key concepts
Electric Atlas (April 2024): no published specs yet, but BD claims it is stronger and has greater range of motion than hydraulic Atlas
- Hyundai partnership: Atlas targeted at Hyundai/Kia automotive manufacturing lines — spot welding, parts handling, quality inspection
- Agility Digit: 1.75m, 65kg, designed for logistics; deployed at Amazon fulfillment centers doing tote handling since 2023
- RoboFab (Salem, OR): capacity for 10,000 Digit units/year — first humanoid-scale mass production facility in North America
- Digit uses a bespoke MPC-based locomotion stack with learned policies for manipulation; legs fold for confined spaces
- Key difference from Figure/Tesla: both BD and Agility prioritize task-specific deployment over general-purpose learning
Check your understanding
Try to recall each answer before expanding it.
Q1. What do you know about Electric Atlas (April 2024)?
no published specs yet, but BD claims it is stronger and has greater range of motion than hydraulic Atlas
Q2. What do you know about Hyundai partnership?
Atlas targeted at Hyundai/Kia automotive manufacturing lines — spot welding, parts handling, quality inspection
Q3. What do you know about Agility Digit?
1.75m, 65kg, designed for logistics; deployed at Amazon fulfillment centers doing tote handling since 2023
Q4. What do you know about RoboFab (Salem, OR)?
capacity for 10,000 Digit units/year — first humanoid-scale mass production facility in North America
Q5. What do you know about Digit uses a bespoke MPC-based locomotion stack with learned…?
Digit uses a bespoke MPC-based locomotion stack with learned policies for manipulation; legs fold for confined spaces
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Part of Module 1: The Humanoid Landscape.