Humanoid robotics remains an exciting and evolving field of research. While the number of commercially available humanoid robots is still relatively small, advancements continue to be made, with the potential for significant real-world applications in the future.
One ongoing challenge is understanding the complexities of human information processing and how the brain navigates the physical world. This knowledge is crucial for building truly sophisticated humanoid robots. Currently, humanoid robots are being developed to serve various purposes, including companionship, assistance in daily life, and even disaster response.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most advanced and impressive humanoid robots as of 2024.
Advanced Manipulation and Mobility
1. Boston Dynamics Atlas
Atlas is a fully electric, bipedal humanoid robot designed for real-world applications, developed by Boston Dynamics. Atlas robot has undergone a significant transformation in 2023. Previously powered by hydraulics, Atlas is now fully electric, making it quieter, cleaner, and more powerful. This redesign enhances its strength, dexterity, and agility, paving the way for real-world applications in industries like manufacturing and logistics. While early Atlas versions impressed with their ability to navigate rough terrain and recover from falls, the latest iteration pushes the boundaries even further.
2. Unity H1
The Unity H1 is a revolutionary humanoid robot developed by Unity Robotics, designed to seamlessly integrate into various industries, from healthcare to manufacturing. With its advanced artificial intelligence and dexterous manipulators, the Unity H1 can perform a wide range of tasks with precision and efficiency, enhancing productivity and safety in diverse work environments. Its modular design allows for easy customization and adaptation to specific needs, making it a versatile solution for today’s evolving technological landscape.
3. Honda E2-DR
Honda E2-DR is a disaster response robot that can navigate through dangerous, complex environments. It looks humanoid, heavier and tougher than Honda’s Asimo, first presented in 2000. E2-DR is designed to act as a rescuer in a range of situations deemed too dangerous for human rescuers, such as in areas with high background radiation or in a structurally unsound, badly damaged building.
E2-DR stands at 1.68 meters tall and weighs 85 kilograms. It can walk upright at 4.3 kilometers per hour and crawl on all fours at speeds of up to 2 kilometers per hour. The robot boasts impressive maneuverability, climbing stairs, ladders, and navigating uneven terrain. It’s equipped with various sensors, including multiple cameras, laser rangefinders, and 3D imaging systems, allowing it to perceive its surroundings and overcome obstacles. While publicly available information hasn’t been updated since 2017, Honda’s ongoing advancements in robotics suggest the E2-DR platform may possess even greater capabilities.
Social Interaction and Customer Service
4. AMECA by Engineered Arts
AMECA, created by Engineered Arts, stands at the forefront of lifelike humanoid robotics, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in human-robot interaction. Featuring state-of-the-art animatronics, artificial intelligence, and sensory systems, AMECA exhibits remarkably realistic movements, expressions, and social behaviors, making it ideal for applications in entertainment, education, and research. Engineered with meticulous attention to detail, AMECA represents a significant leap forward in the quest to create truly sentient machines that can engage with humans on a profound emotional level.
5. Sophia
Sophia is a social humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics company’s founder, Dr. David Hanson. Since its launch in 2016 with its first public appearance at South by Southwest Festival (SXSW), Sophia has become a media favorite, featuring her on numerous high-profile interviews, events and panel discussions worldwide.
Since its launch in 2016, Sophia has become a media darling, captivating audiences with her lifelike features and ability to hold conversations. A sought-after speaker, Sophia has addressed business leaders and participated in high-profile interviews around the world. In a move that sparked debate about robot rights, Sophia was granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia in 2017. However, this is a special case and the legal status of robots remains a complex issue.
6. Nadine
Developed by a team including Nanyang Technological University Singapore and the University of Geneva, Nadine is a female humanoid social robot known for her remarkably realistic appearance, including natural-looking skin, hair, and hands. This socially intelligent robot can make eye contact, greet people, and remember conversations. Nadine is capable of answering questions autonomously in multiple languages and can even simulate emotions through gestures and facial expressions based on her interactions. Equipped with 27 degrees of freedom, Nadine can create a wide range of facial expressions and upper-body movements. Nadine’s ability to interact and engage in conversation made her a world premiere companion at a senior care facility in Singapore from 2019-2020. Previously, she also served as a customer service agent at AIA Insurance Company.
7. Junko Chihira
Junko Chihira, a pioneering humanoid robot developed by Toshiba, was unveiled in 2015 to greet visitors at Aqua City Odaiba, a shopping and entertainment complex in Tokyo. Designed to provide information and engage in simple conversations, Junko Chihira played a crucial role in showcasing advancements in human-robot interaction and multilingual language processing. Her ability to interact with visitors in Japanese, English, Chinese, and even sign language made her a valuable asset in the tourism industry. Junko Chihira’s legacy continues to inspire the development of more advanced and interactive robots.
8. Erica
Erica, the humanoid robot developed by Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University’s Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, captured headlines for her potential to become a news anchor in 2018. While her lifelike appearance and ability to read from a teleprompter were impressive, there haven’t been any confirmed reports of Erica anchoring a regular news program in 2024. However, her development continues. Erica can still interact with humans through voice recognition, track movement, and generate natural-looking movements in her face, neck, shoulders, and waist. She can also express emotions through gestures and various facial expressions.
Research and Development
9. Tesla Optimus Gen 2
The Tesla Optimus Gen 2 represents the next step in Tesla’s pursuit of automotive innovation, boasting enhanced performance, range, and safety features. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Gen 2 incorporates cutting-edge technologies such as advanced autonomous driving capabilities, improved battery efficiency, and a sleek, aerodynamic design that sets new standards in electric vehicle engineering.
Other Interesting Developments
10. Toyota T-HR3
First introduced in 2017, the Toyota T-HR3 has continued to evolve as a versatile humanoid robot platform. Standing 1.5 meters tall and weighing 75 kilograms, the T-HR3 boasts 32 degrees of torque-controlled freedom and dexterous 10-fingered hands. Designed to assist humans in various settings, the T-HR3’s capabilities are being explored for applications in homes, medical facilities, construction sites, and even disaster zones. Toyota’s vision for the T-HR3 is to support medical professionals, caregivers, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
11. Xin Xiaomeng
In 2019, the Chinese state-owned Xinhua news agency introduced Xin Xiaomeng, an AI news anchor designed to deliver news bulletins. Touted as a technological first at the time, Xin Xiaomeng’s debut marked a significant step forward in the use of AI for news presentation. There haven’t been any public updates on Xin Xiaomeng’s activities since her introduction in 2019.
12. Agility Robotics Cassie
Cassie is an advanced bipedal robot. It has no arms yet, but these legged robots can go many places wheels can’t. In 2022, Cassie achieved a Guinness World Record for the fastest 100-meter dash by a bipedal robot, clocking in at an impressive 24.73 seconds. This achievement highlights the robot’s remarkable stability and ability to navigate challenging terrain. Originally developed at Oregon State University, Cassie is now the brainchild of Agility Robotics. While the delivery scenario using Cassie is an interesting concept, Agility Robotics’ focus has since shifted to Digit, their next-generation robot designed for multi-purpose tasks in logistics.
