We've been following the developments of Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot for years, but even I didn't know when that research began. It appears that that they have been working on the development of a walking humanoid robot for more than 40 years now! Maybe it's because Atlas doesn't develop grey hair or wrinkles, just more muscles. World Data Center put together a compilation of research videos showing Atlas starting out in 1983 and running through 2022. The video starts with a bouncing baby robot who later learns to walk on two legs, and gradually grows into a dancing, flipping athlete made of titanium and electronics. We shouldn't be verklempt about watching a robot grow up, but we feel like Atlas is a friend. He is, after all, friend-shaped. Besides that, he's taken a lot of abuse to get where he is today. Too bad it doesn't include the latest version, although that one is kind of creepy. -via Laughing Squid
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