DARPA's new humanoid robot is its most intimidating yet

Say hi to Atlas, a beefy machine in need of a brain

Atlas' 28 hydraulic joints make him one nimble robot.
(Image credit: YouTube)

At 6'2" and 330 pounds, DARPA and Boston Dynamics' latest robot, Atlas, is arguably their most imposing humanoid yet. Like PetMan before it, the hydraulic-powered machine ambles along on two legs. But unlike its klutzy predecessor, Atlas possesses the sturdy resolve of a pro linebacker, and is apparently able to take a flying, 20-pound medicine ball right to the gut without tipping over.

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Chris Gayomali is the science and technology editor for TheWeek.com. Previously, he was a tech reporter at TIME. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Esquire, and The Atlantic, among other places. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.