Boston Dynamics' Atlas Shows Off Its New Grab-and-throw Skill

The Massachusetts-based company's humanoid robot could already run and jump over complex terrain, but its new hands or rudimentary grippers give the robot new capabilities. The claw-like gripper consists of one fixed finger and one moving finger, according to Boston Dynamics.

The video demo released today by the company, shows Atlas pick up and deliver a bag of tools to a construction worker.

The grippers picks up a construction lumber and a nylon tool bag. Next, the Atlas picks up a 2x8 and places it between two boxes to form a bridge. The robot then picks up a bag of tools and dashes over the bridge and through construction scaffolding.

Atlas then realizes that the tool bag needs to go to the second level of the structure, and quickly throws the bag a considerable distance.

According to Boston Dynamics: "Atlas' concluding move, an inverted 540-degree, multi-axis flip, adds asymmetry to the robot's movement, making it a much more difficult skill than previously performed parkour."

Atlas' grippers, designed for heavy lifting tasks, were first demonstrated in a Super Bowl commercial.

WATCH Atlas' new skill.