First bi-pedal humanoid robot backflip

On 17 November 2017, US company Boston Dynamics released video of its latest robot, named Atlas, performing a backflip. The robot performs all of the actions of a human gymnast, including using its arms to balance upon landing. This robotic leap backwards is a major leap forwards in autonomous robotic control, and represents a significant first in the replication of human bi-pedal motion in an automaton. Atlas can demonstrate a range of human motion including running, jumping and pirouetting in mid-air jumps, and now full backflips. It takes a human brain many years to learn the coordination required for this type of feat, so this type of breakthrough in robotics is one of the most significant achievements in 2017.