Apollo From Apptronik Unveiled As the First Commercial Humanoid Robot Designed To Transform the Industrial Workforce

Humanoids engaged in household chores or building settlements on the lunar surface may sound like works of science fiction. However, a team of experts from robotics startup Apptonik foresees a future where robots can do nasty jobs so humans do not have to.

General-Purpose Humanoid Robot

Last January, Apptronik announced its plans to work on a new commercial general-purpose humanoid robot. The company has developed over half a dozen robots for the past eight years with a couple of full-body exoskeletons. Finally, Apptronik has decided that now is the time for bipedal humanoids to be commercially available.

On August 23, Apptronik released the design of its latest humanoid robot. It has the same scale as a human, measuring 5 feet, 8 inches (1.7 meters) tall and weighing 160 pounds (72.6 kilograms).

Apollo can raise a 55-pound (25 kilograms) load with the potential to be mass-produced and work safely alongside humans. It uses electricity instead of hydraulics, which is considered unsafe. The four-hour battery that powers the unit can be changed so Apollo can operate for a 22-hour workday.

The humanoid robot has digital panels on its chest to help provide clear communication about its battery life. In addition, the panel can also describe the task it is currently working on when it will finish, and what it will perform next. Apollo was also designed with a face and intentional movements like turning the head to indicate where it plans to go. To prevent humans from feeling uneasy about the robot's appearance, Apollo was outfitted with features that would make it more approachable and friendly.

The initial plan for the bipedal robot is to involve it in logistic works, performing physically demanding jobs inside warehouses and addressing labor shortages. However, the Apptronik team envisions Apollo to extend for at least the next ten years. According to Apptronik CEO Jeff Cardenas, the company aims to create versatile robots that will help humans do all the things we do not want to do here on Earth, with the possibility of exploring the Moon one day.

Advantages of Bipedal Humanoid Robot

Humanoid robotics has come a long way with accelerated progress over the years. As humanoid robots are designed to leave the laboratories and explore the world, they must be provided with more efficient locomotion that resembles that of humans. To provide the best version of humanoids, manufacturing companies utilize the skill of bipedalism.

Bipedalism is a form of locomotion where a tetrapod stands upright and moves using its two legs or rear limbs. A bipedal walking robot is a generation of humanoid robots that mimics human beings and can be programmed to perform specific tasks as required.

The defining feature of bipedal humanoid robots lies in their kinematic structure. They have been designed to take on various tasks with reduced impact force as a foot lands on the ground. Unlike wheeled robots, bipedal robots demonstrate more versatility since they can traverse many different terrains.

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