Boston Dynamics never ceases to come up with something new when it comes to robots. From their BigDog, who can go power through rough terrain, to their WildCat, the fastest quadruped robot, they’ve interrupted the robotic world. Now, the company is making its way into the warehouse with Handle.
Handle uses the same principles for dynamics, balance, and mobile manipulation the other quadruped and biped robots use, but Handle only has 10 actuated joints. Its two legged wheels allow it to speed around on flat surfaces, while its legs can climb stairs, walk over boxes, and go almost anywhere. Handle can pick up heavy loads up to 33 lb. and maneuver through tight corners.
Now, Handle is ready for the warehouse, and will use its intelligent vision systems to autonomously pick up and stack boxes on pallets up to 48 in. deep and 69 in. tall.
As of now, Handle has done a good job stacking regular-sized boxes, but New Atlas isn’t so sure how it’ll do playing Tetris with unusual shaped boxes.
Take a look at Handle in action below at its first job in the warehouse.