Khaberni - A full-sized Chinese humanoid robot sparked a wave of interest after it was seen performing the Charleston dance with remarkable smoothness, in a display that reflects a qualitative leap in motion control technologies for humanoid robots.
The robot, named "Adam" and developed by Chinese company PNDbotics, boasts advanced motor capabilities that enable it to execute movements requiring precise timing, high balance, and full coordination between body parts, which are significant challenges in the world of robotics.
From walking to expressive motion
According to its developers, this display is not seen as mere visual entertainment, but as a comprehensive technical stress test on a system level, aimed at demonstrating the capabilities of humanoid robots to transition from basic walking and movements to full expressive motion that mimics humans.
"Adam" has 41 degrees of freedom, alongside a high-torque, low response-time control system, allowing it to perform quick and accurate movements akin to human motion, while maintaining stability during jumping, spinning, and sudden changes in direction.
Advanced engineering capabilities
The robot stands 1.6 meters tall and weighs about 60 kilograms and is designed to combine high flexibility and mechanical precision.
It relies on custom actuators capable of generating high torque, in addition to advanced algorithms for movement path planning, which ensures a smooth transition between steps and avoids rigid mechanical movements.
It also includes three degrees of freedom in the waist and two in the wrists, adding an expressive touch closer to human movement, while a high-speed, low-latency communication network ensures precise synchronization of all motion commands.
An artificial intelligence platform for self-learning
Alongside "Adam," PNDbotics has unveiled the Adam-U Ultra platform, a version tailored for research and practical applications in the field of artificial intelligence and self-learning.
This platform is equipped with a Vision, Language, and Motion (VLA) model, along with more than 10,000 real data samples, allowing the robot to acquire new skills within hours rather than weeks.
The company aims to provide a unified and flexible solution through this platform that can be used in industrial, commercial, and educational applications, with reduced setup and customization requirements.
A step towards robots working side by side with humans
Experts believe that what "Adam" offers is not just a technical display, but a clear indication of the maturation of control technologies in humanoid robots, and their approaching the stage where these machines can perform complex tasks in real-world environments alongside humans, with unprecedented flexibility and interaction.
