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Boston Dynamics’ Robots Put On an Awesome, Eerie Dance Show Just for You

If you’re one of those types who can’t look at a single robot without picturing a bleak future in which robots have taken over and turned us all into slaves, then you might want to skip Boston Dynamics’ end-of-year video.
Boston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance number 9 photos
Photo: YouTube/Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance numberBoston Dynamics robots end 2020 with an impressive dance number
The clock is ticking on 2020, arguably one of the most difficult and horrible years in modern existence. To celebrate its demise and usher in what we all hope will be a much better 2021, the team behind Boston Dynamics released a video featuring three of their most famous robots. And they’re all dancing.

This isn’t just dancing, though, not of the kind you do when you’re home alone, cooking, doing chores, or what have you. This is actual choreography, both solo and in sync, and it stands out for extreme fluidity, an astounding variety of motion, and the eeriest feeling you could possibly get.

You can see the video at the bottom of the page. It features two Atlas robots, one Handle, and one Spot.

Atlas is “the world’s most dynamic humanoid robot,” and it can do anything from lift boxes to parkour. Handle is the wheeled robot for moving boxes and, while it doesn’t get as much screen time as the others, it still performs surprisingly well. Spot is the dog-shaped robot that’s gotten plenty of media attention along the years; mind you, it's no longer headless, having grown a long neck and a head to pretend it’s singing.

The choreography is set to The Countours’ Do You Love Me? song and the choice for the music adds yet another level of eeriness to the way these robots move. At points, it feels like the video could possibly include some CGI or at least sped-up footage, but if it does, there’s no mention of it from the robotics company.

On the same note, previous materials of the same robots have shown that they’re perfectly capable of making all the moves they’re shown doing here, even if less polished and more jerky.

You don’t have to take our word for it: check out the video to see Atlas doing the boogie better than many humans. Happy New Year!

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
Elena Gorgan profile photo

Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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