Humanoids to help out in more factories

The "Skywalker I" robot. [Photo/VCG]

A full-size commercial humanoid robot developed by a Chengdu, Sichuan province-based company, will soon join several manufacturing firms as an "employee", its developer said.

The "Skywalker I" robot, unveiled online on Monday by Sichuan Embodied Humanoid Robot Technology Co Ltd, is said to be the first of its kind in the province.

Standing 1.65 meters tall and weighing 50 kilograms, the robot has a battery life of 90 minutes. Online videos show it smoothly executing tasks, including autonomous walking.

Feng Zhenyu, chairman and general manager of the company, said the robot applies its self-developed high-compact integrated joints and highly robust motion control algorithms, enabling it to handle complex terrains and environments.

"With its stable motion capabilities to carry objects with both hands, skillfully operate tools and walk autonomously, the robot is ready to start working at some flexible product manufacturing companies," he said.

Feng said his company will focus on technologies including visual simultaneous localization and mapping, as well as full-body perception, to enhance the environmental awareness and adaptability of humanoid robots.

The company is also cooperating with TD Tech, a Chengdu-based company specializing in the research and development of communication solutions for industrial clients, to develop an independently controllable robot brain. This partnership aims to accelerate the application of humanoid robots in various sectors, including industry, households and society, he said.

Feng said the Chengdu High-Tech Zone has established a service platform to facilitate links between robot companies and upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain, as well as the intelligent hardware pilot test platforms, to speed up the production process.

With over 90 percent of its core components locally sourced, the humanoid robot highlights the strong capabilities of local enterprises in industrial chain integration and localized production, local officials said.

The Chengdu High-Tech Zone has set up a special zone for artificial intelligence and robotics at Singapore-Sichuan Hi-Tech Innovation Park, to conduct large-scale application demonstrations for new technologies, new products and new scenarios.