Boston Dynamics introduces latest ‘nightmare inducing’ robot

There’s a new robot in town.

This bipedal robot on wheels made by Boston Dynamics is known as “Handle” and seems to do exactly that: handle its environment.

Handle is a research robot, which means Boston Dynamics isn’t planning to mass produce for the marketplace anytime soon. It stands 6-feet 6-inches tall, is self balancing,travels at top speeds of 9 mph and jumps 4​ ​feet vertically.

“This is the debut presentation of what I think will be anightmare inducing robot,” Boston Dynamics owner Marc Raibert said in a statement to investors in January.

Relying on just 10 actuated joints, it’s significantly less complicated to build than some of Boston Dynamics’ other projects, meaning if they do ever roll out production there’s a chance you might be able to afford it.

“Eventually it could be less expensive,but still have a significant capability. We call this Handle because it’s supposed to handle objects eventually,” Raibert said.

Official footage of Handle was released by the company Feb. 27,but Gizmodohad the scoop last month, publishing a clip of leaked footage in January.

The robot uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators, with a range of about 15 miles on one battery charge. ​​​Handle uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles​ found in the quadruped and biped robots Boston Dynamics also builds—Remember? Those were the ones that looked and walked with the eerily life-like quality.