Gizmos & Gadgets: Boston Dynamics Provide a Peak at Dynamic, Fast Moving, Handle Robot

March 4, 2017 – Watching the video on YouTube introducing Handle is a bit like peering into the future of mobile robotics and it feels weird. This two-meter (6.5 feet) tall robot can travel at 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) per hour, can jump vertically 1.2 meters (4 feet), and has an operating range of 24 kilometers (15 miles) on a single charge. It stands in a semi-crouch position on its wheeled two-legs and uses its arms to handle payloads up to 45 kilograms (100 pounds).

Siddhartha Srinivasa, Professor of Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, describes Handle as “one of the most remarkable robots I have seen in a long time.” When you watch the video you will probably agree.

Handle demonstrates capabilities not seen in mobile robots previously. It jumps over hurdles, navigates stairs, handles uneven surfaces, can even lift one of its wheeled feet while rolling across a surface, and does it all at a pretty high speed. This isn’t your trudging, stiff, bipedal robot, but rather a sleek, fast, and flexible machine that almost seems alive.

Vikash Kumar, robotics researcher at University of Washington, describes Handle stating, “nothing like this has been shown before.”

Boston Dynamics continues to be a leader in the development of mobile robots for commercial and military purposes. As for the purpose of Handle, it could be used in warehouse operations, or as a delivery robot carrying packages to customers.

One thing for sure, this is no ordinary machine. The picture below illustrates my point. When you watch Handle jump over a snow bank or fly down a set of stairs, you know we have entered a new stage in robotic technology development.