WATCH: This agile two-legged robot can land backflips
A US robotics firm has developed a robot which can put some top-class athletes to shame.
Boston Dynamics has filmed the human-like Atlas, which resembles a vacuum cleaner with arms and legs, perfectly jumping across elevated platforms.
It even pulls off a backflip, raising its arms like a gymnast in a perfect landing without breaking a sweat.
On its website, Boston Dynamics said the robot stands at 1.5m tall, weighs 75kg, has 28 joints and is powered by batteries.
“Atlas' control system coordinates motions of the arms, torso and legs to achieve whole-body mobile manipulation, greatly expanding its reach and workspace,” the description reads.
“Atlas' ability to balance while performing tasks allows it to work in a large volume while occupying only a small footprint.”
It also notes the humanoid robot can retain its balance if knocked over or “jostled”.
The YouTube video of Atlas in action has already received more than 1.5 million views since it was posted on Thursday.
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But not everyone was impressed with the bot showing off its skills. Some were almost terrified.
“Well now we're all doomed they can already do backflips,” one user said.
Another said it was “100 per cent frightening and wrong”.
But one user said it made them stop worrying about artificial intelligence and “the rise of the machines”.
“Just look at him: he's doing CrossFit!” the user said.
“There is no intelligence to be spoken of.”
