Boston Dynamics is aiming to cut the time required to build its Atlas humanoid robot from approximately one day to just one hour next year, as the company refines its approach to rapid hardware development.

In a nearly six-minute video, the robotics company offers a behind-the-scenes look at its prototype operations team, showing how engineers and machinists work together to manufacture, assemble and maintain Atlas.

The integrated facility allows components to move quickly from design and precision machining to physical testing, reducing delays as engineers refine the robot.

Rather than relying entirely on external suppliers, the team produces specialised components in-house, including parts requiring tight dimensional tolerances and complex machining operations.

Engineers can work directly with machinists to adjust designs, refine cutting procedures and evaluate revised components without waiting for lengthy supply-chain processes.

The facility also incorporates robotic arms into selected assembly tasks, while integrated repair and maintenance capabilities help return prototypes to testing more quickly.

This approach is increasingly important as Atlas evolves towards industrial applications. Its hardware must balance dexterity, durability, manufacturing cost and serviceability, particularly as engineers develop components capable of withstanding repeated operation.

Boston Dynamics ultimately hopes to reduce build times to minutes. However, these ambitions relate to the prototype-building process rather than a confirmed mass-production rate or commercial delivery schedule.

The initiative highlights a critical challenge for humanoid robotics: translating sophisticated research hardware into machines that can be manufactured, maintained and deployed efficiently at industrial scale.