Affordable humanoid robot aims for the teaching hands of developers

A new affordable humanoid robot has been unveiled, targeting developers and researchers with a price point significantly lower than existing platforms. The robot, developed by a startup, aims to democratize access to humanoid robotics for education and R&D.

Humanoid robots have traditionally been expensive, with platforms like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas costing millions and even smaller robots like Unitree’s H1 priced around $90,000. This new robot, named the “Teaching Hand,” is priced under $20,000, making it accessible to universities and small labs. The startup behind it has focused on reducing cost without sacrificing essential capabilities for manipulation and locomotion research.

The robot stands 1.4 meters tall and weighs 35 kg. It features 28 degrees of freedom, including dexterous hands with 6 DOF each. The actuators are brushless DC motors with harmonic drives, providing high torque density. The robot can walk at 1.2 m/s and lift payloads up to 5 kg per arm. Its onboard computer runs ROS 2 and supports real-time control. The design prioritizes modularity, allowing easy replacement of components. The robot’s hands have tactile sensors on fingertips for force feedback, enabling precise manipulation tasks like grasping objects or using tools.

The company plans to begin shipping in Q3 2024, with initial units allocated to research institutions. The open-source software stack includes pre-trained models for locomotion and grasping, reducing development time. This robot could accelerate research in humanoid control and manipulation, as more teams can afford to experiment with physical platforms. For manufacturers, it offers a low-cost testbed for automation tasks in unstructured environments.

Source: New Atlas