Beijing, China has made a significant move in the field of humanoid robotics, releasing the world’s first electric humanoid robot, Tiangong, as an open-source platform. The decision aims to promote secondary development and speed up integration of robots into daily life.
Tiangong, developed by the state-backed Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, is a versatile humanoid robot capable of maintaining a steady speed of 3.73 miles per hour. It combines visual perception sensors, 3D vision sensors, and high-precision IMU to tackle motion control challenges effectively.
The platform has already undergone extensive testing and validation, and its open-source version is now available for other enterprises and research institutions to access directly. This move is expected to shorten the development cycle and reduce research costs.
Two versions of the humanoid robot are available: “Tiangong 1.0 LITE” and “Tiangong Pro,” with software and structural design documents already provided. Additional structural blueprints, software architecture, and electrical systems will be released by the end of the year.
China has outlined a plan to lead in humanoid robot development, aiming to mass-produce robots by 2025 and have them think, learn, and create by 2027. The country’s robotics sector is growing, with notable models from companies like UBtech Robotics and Unitree.
Tiangong’s fully electric actuators allow it to move its head, arms, and legs in various ways, making it a key player in the development of human-like motion. Its lightweight design guarantees stability when moving, especially when sprinting, and state-of-the-art motion learning techniques give it lifelike running motion.
The open-source platform is expected to open up new avenues for commercial applications, with Tiangong’s inventors already demonstrating human-like sprinting abilities and offering compatibility for further advancement.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-open-sources-worlds-first-electric-humanoid-robot-design