Boston Dynamics puts its Atlas humanoid on wheels to test a whole-body control policy learned in simulation, The Robot Report reports

Boston Dynamics released a video on 9 November of its Atlas humanoid rolling on wheels fitted to its feet, The Robot Report reports. Atlas switches between fast rolling on flat ground and walking over obstacles.

Control pairs classical model-based motor control with a whole-body reinforcement-learning policy trained in simulation, which adjusts the robot's pose and force from real-time feedback, the report says. A single adapter puts an off-the-shelf scooter rim on Atlas's existing ankle actuator, and the software treats each wheel as a continuously spinning ankle.

Boston Dynamics said “a wheeled Atlas isn’t a product. It’s a research testbed.” Andy Wu, a controls engineer for Atlas, called the conversion “wonderfully simple”, The Robot Report says. The work comes as Boston Dynamics prepares to ramp up Atlas testing at Hyundai facilities, according to the report. Boston Dynamics' newsroom did not list the item when checked, so this rests on The Robot Report's account; it carries no figures.

• Reported Boston Dynamics released a video of Atlas on wheels, controlled by model-based control plus a whole-body reinforcement-learning policy trained in simulation, The Robot Report reports. The Robot Report
• Claimed Boston Dynamics: “a wheeled Atlas isn’t a product. It’s a research testbed.” The Robot Report
• Reported Boston Dynamics is preparing to ramp up Atlas testing at Hyundai facilities, The Robot Report reports. The Robot Report