Watch Robot That Looks Like Big Foot Stumble Through the Woods

Google's Atlas robot may look scary but it could one day save lives.

ByABC News
August 18, 2015, 10:12 AM
A humanoid robot under development at Boston Dynamics walks through the woods in a video called "Making Robots" posted to YouTube on Aug. 15, 2015.
A humanoid robot under development at Boston Dynamics walks through the woods in a video called "Making Robots" posted to YouTube on Aug. 15, 2015.
Michael Campbell/YouTube

— -- This is the stuff that technophobe nightmares are made of: The Google-owned Boston Dynamics released a video showing its humanoid Atlas robot traipsing through the woods.

While the video may inspire bad dreams of towering robots chasing you through the forest, it's actually designed to be a rescuer, venturing into the most dangerous conditions to help save lives.

Atlas still has to be tethered to a trailing power source, but a new video released by the Boston Dynamics team shows the robot has become even more human-like by successfully keeping its balance when hit, navigating a rocky trail and even appearing to jog at times -- even though its clumsy gait is reminiscent of someone staggering home from the bar at 4 a.m.

The latest video also featured a cameo at the start from Spot, the four-legged robot that looks something like a dog or a dinosaur, as it trotted to a closed door and opened it without any problems.

Sweet dreams.