---
title: "Watch Boston Dynamics’ Humanoid Nail a Tricky Gymnastics Routine"
description: "A new video uploaded by Boston Dynamics shows off the robotics company's humanoid robot called Atlas perform an impressive gymnastics routine."
date: "2019-09-24"
modified: "2019-09-24"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/boston-dynamics-humanoid-gymnastics-routine"
categories:
  - "Boston Dynamics"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "ATLAS"
  - "boston dynamics"
  - "humanoid robot"
  - "the digest"
---

# Watch Boston Dynamics’ Humanoid Nail a Tricky Gymnastics Routine

![A new video uploaded by Boston Dynamics shows off the robotics company's humanoid robot called Atlas perform an impressive gymnastics routine.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/boston-dynamics-humanoid-gymnastics-routine.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Boston Dynamics\</em\>*

## 10/10

A new video uploaded by Boston Dynamics shows the robotics company's humanoid robot, Atlas, performing an impressive gymnastics routine — including a handstand, a somersault, and even a 360 jump — all in one fluid motion.

It's a spectacular display of agility by the nimble, two-legged robot. Previous videos have shown it [go for a jog](<https://futurism.com/boston-dynamics-atlas-jogging>), [master parkour](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/boston-dynamics-atlas-parkour-master>), and even [play "the floor is lava."](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/watch-hulking-robot-atlas-floor-lava>)

https://youtu.be/_sBBaNYex3E

## Robot Olympics

According to the video's description, Boston Dynamics used an "optimization algorithm" and "model predictive controller" to make the movements look smooth. The success rate of nailing the routine is "about 80 percent."

Atlas was first buit in 2013 and has been perfecting its bipedal skills ever since. The latest iteration weighs only [80 kilograms](<https://www.bostondynamics.com/atlas>) and can amble at an impressive 1.5 meters a second.

Atlas isn't the only two-footed, life-sized robot around. Russia has developed a [similar but arguably less nimble robot](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russia-gun-robot-space-station>) called Fedor that visited the International Space Station earlier this year.

**READ MORE:** [Boston Dynamics’ Atlas can now do an impressive gymnastics routine](<https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/24/20881385/boston-dynamics-atlas-gymnastics-routine-somersaults-split-leap>) \[*The Verge*\]

**More on Atlas:** *[Watch This Hulking Robot Play “The Floor Is Lava”](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/watch-hulking-robot-atlas-floor-lava>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)