Robots weblog | Males in sheet steel as a substitute of man on the tape: bold objectives for the mass manufacturing of humanoids

The development in the field of humanoid robots is progressing with impressive dynamics. The show between the United States and China as well as progress in the field of AI, battery development and mechanics are fueling the performance of the men in sheet metal. On the automatica it will be clear how far this development has already progressed.

In addition to production tasks, humanoids like the 4NE-1 from Neura will soon also take on annoying activities such as ironing. © Messe München GmbH

They were recently able to demonstrate what the humanoids in the Middle Kingdom of the Middle Kingdom are capable of. Around 20 humanoid robots successfully competed against people on the 21 kilometer long run. With the race, the People’s Republic has achieved its goal of presenting itself as one of the leading providers of human -like robots.

Two legs enable maximum flexibility and mobility

But a half marathon inevitably leads to an often asked question: Why do humanoids have legs? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to use wheel drives? That is why most humanoids are still equipped with two legs, explains Jonathan Hurst, Chief Robot Officer at Agility Robotics: “Two -legged robots are designed for coexistence with humans and offer versatility and mobility that goes beyond what cycling drives can do. Overcome curbs and meet a wide range of tasks. ” Digit, the humanoid from agility, is already in use in logistics centers in many applications such as Amazon and GXO Logistics. With a body size of 1.75 m and a weight of around 64 kg, Digit can perform complex tasks such as lifting loads with a weight of up to 16 kg. And thanks to advanced sensors, including Lidar and cameras, he can also navigate independently. Melonee Wise, Chief Product Officer at Agility Robotics, also speaks about Digit and the question of how humanoid gaps can close in the automation chain at the automatica forum in Halle A5. In a application -oriented manner, Carolin Richter, Head of Next Generation Robotics at the BMW Group, gives a lecture on the company’s experiences with concrete practical use of humanoids.

Digit, the humanoid from Agility Robotics, is already in large numbers in logistics centers such as Amazon and GXO. © Messe München GmbH

USA with pioneering role in technology development

Like Digit, other sophisticated humanoids from the USA, including Boston Dynamics Atlas, Optimus von Tesla, Figure 01 and 02 from Figure Ai and Apollo from Apptronik come. They all already work in pilot inserts in the automotive industry. “We are developing the most advanced and powerful humanoid robots in the world that are at a meaningful and revolutionary manner,” says Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co -founder of Apptronik. But a lot of capital and potent colleagues are necessary to promote these developments. Apptronik was able to complete a financing round of more than $ 350 million. Cooperation with NASA, NVIDIA, Google Deepmind and on the user page with Mercedes-Benz and GXO Logistics should ensure that Apptronik will continue to play at the forefront in this future market.

Germany with catching up to do with humanoid robotics

Germany does not play a key role in the world market for humanoids, but the Automatica shows that there are also promising developments here. Because in addition to the 4NE-1 by Neura Robotics, which made up for the automatica in 2023, other humanoids will find their way to Munich this year. One of them comes from Cologne and is called “Iggy Rob”. Igus offers its first humanoid robot for just under 50,000 euros. According to the manufacturer, this is made possible by the combination of in -house components such as the Rebel Cobots for the robotic arms and the mobile base Rebel Move. Its range of applications ranges from assistance robotics to factory automation to education and research. Igus wants to use Iggy Rob for the automation of injection molding machines in his own company.

The Igus Humanoid Iggy Rob shows on the automatica what it is capable of.
© Messe München GmbH

The trade fair appearance of the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics of the German Aerospace Center is also eagerly awaited. Here you research intensively on the further development in the humanoid robotics. The latest results will be shown on the automatica. The recently closed cooperation between the institute with Siemens is also attracted. “This strategic partnership is another example of transfer of robotics technologies from space travel to industrial applications,” says head of the institute Alin Albu-Schäffer. “The close networking with leading German industrial partners such as Siemens is essential to ensure the competitiveness of European robotics in the future, given the rapid developments in the USA and China.”

Humanoid robot: a gigantic growth market

With his humanoid robot Optimus, Tesla sees himself as a technology leader. This moves elegant, is fast and has a highly flexible five-finger hand. Musk soon considers missions in the household or childcare as possible and Goldman Sachs also sees great potential for the global market for humanoids. Accordingly, this could increase to $ 38 billion by 2035. In addition to US companies, the People’s Republic also pursues ambitious goals and wants to rise to the world market leader in the field of humanoid robots within the next three years. In the medium term, five percent of all humanoids jobs are to be taken over in China. That would correspond to the use of around 35 million units. Humanoids from Unitree, Agibot, Engine Ai, Fourier or Ubtech are already in various applications and industries in China’s companies.

Industry leader Unitree is one of the first manufacturers worldwide with the G1 to launch a small humanoid at a spectacular low price. The basic version of the 1.3 meter tall and 35 kg of light G1 in China should only cost 16,000 euros, in this country it will probably be almost 30,000 euros. And depending on the expansion stage, this price can quickly than double. Interest in the G1 is great, as UNTETREE marketing manager Qian Yuqi reveals: “There are already orders from home and abroad. First of all, scientific research institutions are likely to use our robot, but industrial companies can also imagine using G1 for simple work.”

The development shows that the time for humanoids and thus for a new era of automation has come. Thanks to AI, you are already able to take on part of the tasks that were previously reserved for people. The Automatica promises exciting insights into what humanoids are able to do and how their use can influence the world of work.