12 Mind-blowing Humanoids and Robots that have changed the world.
Njeri Gitome
Humanoid robots are machines that resemble people as closely as possible, they walk like a human and kind of looks like a human. In the past, they seemed pretty far away. However, this has changed in the recent years since companies such as Figure AI, Boston Dynamics, Honda, NASA etc. are all making huge leaps in this field.
Humanoids and robots have been one of the most ambitious human technological moonshots.
In this article, we'll look into 12 cutting edge of humanoids and robots that have had a positive impact in the world.
Atlas is the world's most dynamic humanoid robot. It has an advanced control system and state-of-the art hardware that give the robot the power and balance to demonstrate advanced athletics and agility. It can lift and carry heavy objects like boxes and crates, but its favorite tricks are running, jumping and doing backflips.
Atlas is used to explore the potential of the humanoid for factor. It was initially created for the use in the DAPRA Robotics Challenge (DRC) intended to speed the development of advanced robotic hardware, software, sensors and control interfaces so that robots might assist humans in responding to future natural and man-made disasters.
Apollo is a general purpose humanoid robot designed to work in the real world alongside people. It is designed to handle "dull, dirty and dangerous" jobs so humans don't have to. The robot is intended to transform industrial workforce, including but not limited to the in logistics and manufacturing domains.
Apptronik and Mercedes-Benz have entered a commercial agreement that will pilot Apollo in Mercedes-Benz manufacturing. The humanoid will automate some low-skill, physically challenging manual labor. This will allow human workers to concentrate on more crucial duties and minimize the risk of injuries related to repetitive manual labor.
Valkyrie is an advanced bipedal humanoid robot designed to operate in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments such as natural disaster sites. It is capable of dexterous manipulation and walking, carrying items and opening doors.
In 2023, Valkyrie was tested on an offshore oil rig in Australia. It was used as a 'remote caretaker' for unscrewed, offshore energy facilities.
NASA is one step closer to deploying humanoid robots in space. In order to be launched into space, Valkyrie is going through some of its last testing stages.
Using robots to perform inspection and maintenance tasks in remote or hazardous environments is a key part of NASA's exploration missions, helping support astronauts by establishing infrastructure or conducting the more dangerous tasks.
Sophia is a social humanoid developed by Hanson Robotics. It is capable of interacting with people. It can also exhibit a wide range of intricate emotional expressions.
Sophia is designed for research, education and entertainment. It has helped promote public discussion about AI ethics and the future of robotics.
Phoenix is a general purpose humanoid robot. Being 'general-purpose' means that the robot can do nearly any work task, the way one would expect a person to.
The purpose of this innovation is to augment the human workforce and make it safer. Phoenix general-purpose robots can collaboratively work with humans.
This is China's first bipedal general purpose humanoid robot that can run. It possess a stable gait and highly flexible movement capabilities. It is able to walk at a similar speed to humans, around 5.4kph (3.4mph) and can run autonomously in complex terrains and environments.
H1 can perform a variety of tasks such as carrying object, opening doors and even dancing. It can also capable of communicating with humans using speech and gestures.
It is not only a powerful machine but also a friendly and intelligent companion that can interact with humans and its environs.
Tesla's Optimus
Optimus is a general purpose, bi-pedal, humanoid robot capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive or boring.
Optimus will be initially used in Tesla's automotive and battery factories, with plans to replace scare human labor in other applications further in the future.
Spot, Boston Dynamics' is a mobile robot dog with sensor devices. It is agile, robust and versatile. It excels in autonomous or teleoperated industrial inspection missions, particularly in hostile or hard-to-reach environments. It is applicable to a wide range of industry sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, oil & gas, power & utility etc.
Spot isn't meant to replace human workers. It is meant to keep them safe and make them more efficient. It may present an opportunity for companies to elevate their workforce to roles that better use workers' skills. Spot is more of a "co-bot" -collaborative robot - because it works hand-in-hand with the workers.
Lenovo's Robot Dog - Daystar Bot GS
Lenovo has developed a six-legged robot dog called the Daystar Bot GS designed to enable comprehensive data collection. It boasts of an advanced control system, cutting edge perception algorithms and IP66 robust protection, GS outperforms in unforeseen scenarios, enabling comprehensive data collection at any location and any time.
It is intended for use by businesses, public sector and government use in the Asian market.
CyberDog is an open source quadruped robot companion. It is capable of sensing, analyzing and interacting with its environment. Coupled with human posture and facial recognition tracking, it is capable of following its owner and darting around obstructions. To add to its pet-like nature, users can use voice assistants to command and control CyberDog.
Through open source, Xiaomi encourages developers from around the world to contribute to this robotics innovation.
Dynamic 1 is an AI-powered robot dog. It is allegedly inspired by a German Shepherd breed of dogs.
It can recognize voice commands due to the presence of four microphones and an AI-voice based algorithm. It is equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing it to be controlled effortlessly through a smartphone to app or a remote. It is equipped with a headlight that illuminates its path and acts as an indicator for interacting with people.
Tecno envisions a future where robotic dogs can be used as digital companions.
This is an educational robot created by iRobot. It is an all-in-one mobile robot development platform. Create 3 allows one to grasp core skills in robotics and engineering by programming this educational robot.
There are online open sources databases for access to software packages and libraries by iRobot Education to facilitate learning.
Conclusion
In the rapidly evolving landscape of humanoids and robotics, there are endless possibilities.
"The rise of humanoids represents a pivotal moment in history where technology transcends mere tools and becomes companions on our journey through life." - Masahiro Mori
As we venture further into this realm of innovation, the ethical and societal implications loom large, urging us to tread carefully and thoughtfully. It is imperative keep in mind that technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.
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Written by
Njeri Gitome
Njeri Gitome
Data Scientist