The model Atlas seeks buyers’ attention amid growing competition from a Chinese rival.

Boston Dynamics has released a jaw-dropping video showcasing its next-generation humanoid robot, Atlas 4.0, performing an array of acrobatic feats. The AI-packed, autonomous robot effortlessly executes forward rolls, cartwheels, and army crawls, pushing the boundaries of what humanoid machines can do.

In a highlight moment clearly designed to go viral, Atlas nails a breakdancing move known as the "coffee grinder," smoothly swinging one leg beneath its torso like a seasoned street performer.

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This latest display emphasizes the company’s desire to keep buyers’ attention to its products amid the growing competition from Chinese manufacturers. The footage is a response to videos released recently by the Chinese robotics company Unitree, whose G1 robot executes impressive kung fu moves.

Last week, Unitree followed up with a video showing the G1 performing a standing side flip, signaling an intensifying race in the world of agile bipedal robots.

Atlas' new breakdancing skills are the product of a collaboration between Boston Dynamics and the Robotics and AI Institute (RAI). The latter “taught” the robot these moves by hiring a human breakdancer to perform in a motion capture suit, which transmitted the moves to the machine.

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The partnership with RAI has also enhanced the capabilities of Boston Dynamics' other flagship machine, the Spot robot dog, which now runs three times faster than before.

Unlike its hydraulic-electric predecessor, Atlas is fully electric and engineered for real-world applications. Boston Dynamics’ goal is to ship humanoid robots that can work at industrial factories, shopping malls and warehouses, interacting with human clients and supervisors on a variety of tasks.

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