EP.54 A STUNTING ROBOT BIKE THAT LEARNS THE PARKOUR
A new VLA model from Figure, a next generation of home-humanoid robot from 1X, a full-body android from Clone & much more...
Figure announces new VLA model 🧺
Figure showcased its Helix visual-language-action (VLA) model in a demo in which two humanoid robots cooperated to put away groceries. The robots independently identified objects, handed items to each other, and completed tasks without verbal communication, suggesting intuitive AI coordination.
The Helix VLA model allows full upper-body control, enabling precise dexterity, human-like movements, and multi-robot collaboration. The robots generalized tasks without prior training and responded to natural language prompts, marking a major advancement in humanoid AI. Unlike past models, Helix operates on a single neural network and runs entirely onboard, reducing power consumption and latency.
Figure AI has begun commercial trials and aims to ship 100,000 humanoid robots over four years. The company is also reportedly raising $1.5 billion to accelerate development.
Automating grinding processes with robotics! 👨🏼🏭
German steel company Ancofer Stahlhandel has enhanced its metal finishing process by deploying Teqram’s EasyGrinder system, powered by an ABB IRB 6700 robot. Manual deburring is hazardous, physically demanding, and produces significant noise, making automation a safer and more efficient alternative.
The EasyGrinder system utilizes EasyEye 3D vision sensors to scan, recognize, and autonomously process various metal components without the need for manual programming. The robot selects the correct tools, grinds, deburrs, and removes slag and oxide layers, before flipping and stacking the finished parts.
Since its November 2023 deployment, the system has improved workplace safety, product consistency, and efficiency, outperforming manual grinding by 5-10% on average. Following its success, Ancofer installed a second unit, while Teqram continued refining the technology to further accelerate production and enhance performance in demanding industrial environments.
🦾 Feature sponsorship with ABB Robotics
A new humanoid designed for the home! 🏠
1X Technologies has introduced NEO Gamma, the successor to its NEO Beta humanoid, built to walk, talk, and assist with household tasks. Unlike industrial robots, NEO Gamma focuses on human-like movement and interaction, marking a step towards real-world home deployment.
The robot features a multi-purpose whole-body controller, allowing it to walk naturally, squat, sit, and manipulate objects in diverse environments. It also includes a proprietary large language model (LLM) for natural conversation and an improved visual manipulation system for better object handling.
1X designed NEO Gamma to blend seamlessly into homes, with a minimalist aesthetic, soft knit suit, and quiet tendon-driven joints. It also features real-time "Emotive Ear Rings" for enhanced communication and high-quality audio with beamforming microphones and a three-speaker system.
With a 10x increase in hardware reliability and significant noise reduction, 1X aims to bring humanoid robots into homes soon.
Stunting robot bike learns parkour 🚲
The RAI Institute has introduced a robot bike, the Ultra Mobility Vehicle (UMV), capable of balancing, riding backward, and even jumping onto tables using reinforcement learning (RL). Unlike traditional self-balancing bikes, the UMV lacks a gyroscope, relying purely on AI-driven control to maintain stability.
By training with RL, the UMV has learned to navigate rough terrain, perform jumps, and ride in reverse, a notoriously unstable maneuver. According to Marco Hutter, director of RAI Zurich, "Reinforcement learning helps the UMV discover new behaviors and make them robust in unpredictable conditions."
The team aims to take the UMV out of the lab and demonstrate its parkour abilities in real-world environments soon. Hutter believes this research goes beyond just bikes, showing that RL can unlock hidden capabilities in all kinds of robotic systems.
Meme of the week 🤖
What outfit should I choose for today? Best regards to meme-lord Aaron Prather! :)
Clone released their full-body android! 🫀
Clone Robotics has released an eerie new video showcasing its Protoclone, a full-body humanoid robot designed to move and function like a human. While the prototype’s twitching limbs and lifelike kicks might seem unsettling, future versions aim to assist with household chores like laundry, dishwashing, and vacuuming.
The Clone robot features a polymer skeleton with 206 bones, fully articulated joints, and Myofiber artificial muscles that mimic real human movement. These muscles, inspired by McKibbin actuators, contract using a hydraulic system powered by a 500-watt electric pump—essentially serving as the robot’s "heart."
With four depth cameras for vision, 70 inertial sensors for joint awareness, and 320 pressure sensors for muscle control, Clone aims to learn tasks by watching humans and react in real-time.
Clone Robotics plans to launch a limited batch of 279 units under the name Clone Alpha, with preorders opening later this year. Pricing is yet to be announced.
Unsung heroes. Ever took some time to observe the humble farmer with his basic cart. He usually sleeps all the way home after a full on labour intensive job of breaking new ground. Self programmed cattle. No stack no robotics no satellite required.