Boston Dynamics' Atlas is a humanoid robot being developed by Boston Dynamics that is capable of performing a wide range of tasks autonomously, including navigating rough terrain and executing a variety of physical movements.
For the purposes of this prediction market question, the following criteria will be used to determine whether the answer is yes or no:
"Integrated into the US military" means that the robot is actively being used by the military in some capacity, whether for combat or support operations.
"Similar to Boston Dynamics' Atlas" means that the robot shares the same general physical characteristics and capabilities as Atlas, including a bipedal form factor and advanced mobility and manipulation abilities.
The resolution date is December 31, 2040. If the US military has not officially integrated a humanoid robot similar to Atlas, into its arsenal by that date, the answer will be "No." If such a robot has been integrated, the answer will be "Yes."
Why bipedal in particular? We humans are stuck with that form factor because we find it worth having hands but evolved from tetrapods. A robot could have any number of arms or legs (or other features: there are interesting hybrid bots with legs+wheels or legs+propellers). Does the bipedal form happen to be a particularly good choice for various missions?
@PatrickLD Thanks, didn't know that. Having a computer drive a vehicle by operating its steering wheel and pedals using a bipedal robot body with artificial hands and feet seems crazy to me -- like printing out your emails and faxing them to yourself -- but I'll take your word that Darpa thinks it's an important capability for whatever reasons.
@ML https://www.darpa.mil/program/darpa-robotics-challenge
“The primary technical goal of the DRC is to develop human-supervised ground robots capable of executing complex tasks in dangerous, degraded, human-engineered environments. Competitors in the DRC are developing robots that can utilize standard tools and equipment commonly available in human environments, ranging from hand tools to vehicles.”