EP.39 HOUSEHOLD HUMANOIDS

A new helper for your home, auto-dodging quadruped, insect-inspired robot & much more...

A humanoid for the home 🏡

1X has unveiled the NEO Beta prototype, marking a significant step towards deploying humanoid robots in homes. NEO Beta represents a shift from commercial applications to consumer use, leveraging the skills and experience gained from EVE’s object manipulation capabilities.

Safety is a top priority for 1X as it transitions from controlled environments like warehouses and factories to consumer homes. The company plans to deploy a limited number of NEO units in selected homes this year for research and development purposes. The NEO Beta robot is designed specifically for consumer use, weighing 25 kg (55.1 lb.), making it significantly lighter than competitors like Tesla's Optimus GEN2 and Figure AI's Figure 02. Unlike many humanoids with rigid plastic or metal skins, NEO is covered in a soft jumpsuit with cushioned inserts, reducing the risk of injury in case of accidents.

As funding continues to flow into the humanoid robotics sector—over $4.2 billion raised through June 2024—1X Technologies secured a $100 million Series B in January to fuel its expansion. While the company has not yet disclosed the pricing for NEO, competitors like Tesla and Unitree have hinted at prices around $20,000 and $16,000, respectively.

As 1X prepares to introduce NEO Beta into homes, the company aims to showcase the robot's utility and gather valuable insights for future iterations.

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A microbot inspired by cockroaches 🪳

Researchers have developed a wireless-controlled robotic insect capable of ultrafast untethered running speeds. Inspired by cockroaches, this bug-like robot has the potential for applications in emergency rescue and mechanical inspection.

Weighing just 200 mg without its battery, equivalent to the weight of around 40 hairs, the robot draws inspiration from the cockroach's exceptional speed and agility. The robot uses an electrified magnet to generate vibrations, acting as the driving source. With long front legs and short rear legs, it can move in a straight line or rotate quickly, relying on the front legs to achieve a bouncing motion. This high mobility, even while carrying payloads, comes from the robot’s ability to combine long bouncing strides with a high bouncing frequency.

Current testing shows that the robot can run at speeds of 37 centimeters per second with a battery, and up to 45 centimeters per second without one—matching the speed of cockroaches and achieving the team's bionic goals. Through a wireless control module, the robot's front legs can operate independently, allowing it to navigate various locomotion paths, including circles, rectangles, letters, and irregular paths across obstacles.

The robot could be a valuable tool for post-disaster search and rescue, as well as damage detection in large mechanical systems.

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Robot imitating the human face 😳

Disney Research has introduced a groundbreaking skinless robot capable of mimicking human facial movements, a concept they call ‘lifelike gaze.’ This innovation is detailed in their paper titled "Realistic and Interactive Robot Gaze."

The robot employs a sophisticated system that perceives and identifies people in its environment, selecting appropriate gaze behaviors and executing precise facial motions. This humanoid animatronic bust can replicate various motor and attention behaviors, including attention habituation, saccades, and nuanced motion bandwidths for actuators.

By layering simple motor movements, the robot generates complex, realistic behaviors that respond to environmental stimuli. The result is an interactive human-robot experience with remarkably human-like gaze patterns, facilitated by a sensor embedded in the robot's chest.

Given the importance of gaze in social interactions, this technology has the potential to be a significant tool for interactive robot characters. Disney may eventually integrate this technology into animatronic characters at its theme parks worldwide, including locations in Florida, California, France, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

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Meme of the week 🤖

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

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Learn how to model and control wheel-legged robots 🛞🦿

In this course, participants delve into the intricate world of hybrid-legged and wheeled robots using Simulink® and Simscape™. By focusing on modeling and controlling these unique robots, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the complexities of their combined locomotion systems.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Modeling the dynamics of wheel-legged robots for design feasibility exploration.

• Developing closed-loop control systems to balance and reliably control motion.

• Integrating Simulink® and Simscape™ for comprehensive robot design and control.

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Robot dog that dodges people 🐕

Deep Robotics has introduced a new layer of sophistication with its X30 quadruped robot dog, now equipped with the ability to avoid strangers and objects autonomously. This advanced feature enhances the robot's utility in challenging environments, such as rescue missions, security operations, and surveillance in rugged or hostile zones.

In a recent demonstration, Deep Robotics showcased the X30's new auto-dodge capability, which allows the robot to perceive and avoid potential threats. The video reveals the X30's impressive agility as it maneuvers around people and objects, including a drum-like obstacle and even another robot dog, showcasing its ability to navigate and maintain distance effectively.

Its advanced perception system allows it to navigate and operate in low-light environments without external light sources. The upgraded X30 Pro model offers enhanced communication features for even greater versatility.

Deep Robotics continues to push the boundaries of robotics with its focus on creating robust and adaptable robots capable of tackling a wide range of tasks in challenging environments.

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