Boston Dynamics' Newest Robot Is Designed for Logistics
An updated version of the “Handle” robot.
Boston Dynamics has just released footage of an updated form of its first wheel-legged robot. Originally released in 2017 with the purpose of having a robot that is highly-maneuverable in tight spaces, the first iteration looked more like a kangaroo with robotic limbs that would clamp onto boxes with rubberized nubs. This new version drops the two arms in favor of a single suction head — now the Handle looks more like a 2-meter-tall metal dodo bird.
Designed to lift boxes that are up to 33 pounds in weight, the Handle can organize the boxes onto pallets that are 1.2 meters deep and 1.7 meters tall. Due to the robot’s stature, it can stack the boxes to a sizeable height. While still being tested, the video above shows just how effortless the Handle robot makes warehouse organization. One can’t help but be slightly uneasy when picturing an army of Handles working at full speed.
In other tech news, Apple’s AirPower wireless charger has officially been cancelled.
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