Clone Robotics, a company based in Poland with a focus on biomimetic robotics, has recently unveiled its inaugural full-scale humanoid robot, Clone Alpha. This innovative android marks a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics, as it incorporates synthetic organs, artificial muscles, and a skeletal framework that parallels human anatomy. The aim of this groundbreaking project is to push the boundaries of what is possible in humanoid robotics.
The company's approach to replicating human dexterity and strength is based on a departure from traditional robotic design. By using a methodology that mimics human anatomy, Clone Robotics intends to enhance the robot’s motion capabilities significantly.
At the heart of Clone Alpha's performance is Myofiber, a proprietary technology for artificial muscles that the company introduced in 2021. These water-powered muscles connect to the skeleton at anatomically precise points, enabling the imitation of critical mammalian muscle properties, including rapid response times, significant contraction force, and efficient energy consumption. This system allows for the animation of a full human-like skeleton comprising 206 bones, along with minor fusions and completely articulated joints. Notably, the robot is designed to provide up to 164 degrees of freedom in its upper torso, resulting in a movement range that closely resembles human mobility.
The design of Clone Alpha also features a complex nervous system, which includes 70 inertial sensors for monitoring joint movement and 320 pressure sensors for evaluating muscle force. To enhance its sensory capabilities, the robot is equipped with visual input from four depth cameras. Data processing in Clone Alpha is powered by NVIDIA's Jetson Thor GPU, utilising Clone’s Cybernet model. Furthermore, a compact electric pump simulates the function of a human heart, delivering hydraulic pressure through an innovative Aquajet valve system that effectively actuates the muscle components.
While Clone Robotics has revealed several compelling features of Clone Alpha, including its humanoid torso and lifelike movement capabilities, the company has not yet showcased a fully operational version of the robot. The transition from prototype to complete systems will serve as a critical test of the scalability of their technology.
In a strategic move to establish itself in the highly competitive humanoid robotics market, Clone Robotics has opened pre-orders for 279 units via its official website. The company aims to provide unmatched realism and functionality in artificial beings, potentially reshaping the landscape of robotics in the future.
Source: Noah Wire Services