Boston Dynamics reveals leaping 'Handle' robot [VIDEO]

Boston Dynamics has unveiled its latest prototype in the form of an extremely athletic robot capable of hurdling objects with ease.

'Handle' stands at 6.5 ft tall, travels at 9 mph, can jump 4​ ​feet vertically, and can lift up to 100 lbs. Footage shows the wheeled humanoid machine smoothly crossing off-road terrain and flights of stairs with perfect balance.

Boston Dynamics has earned a name for itself among the military world in recent years with its revolutionary dog-like robots that may offer intriguing logistics capabilities for the future.

According to the company, Handle uses electric power to operate both electric and hydraulic actuators, with a range of about 15 miles on one battery charge. It uses many of the same dynamics, balance and mobile manipulation principles​ found in the quadruped and biped robots previously built under the BD banner, but with only about 10 actuated joints, it is significantly less complex. The robot's wheels are shown to be efficient on flat surfaces while the legs can take it 'almost anywhere'.