More and more companies worldwide are diving into the world of humanoid robots, aiming for “embodied intelligence” and creating adaptable robotic systems that work universally.
China’s Kepler, a robotic company, is joining the trend by unveiling its Forerunner humanoid robot at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas. Kepler claims that its Forerunner series excels in body movements, precise hand control, and advanced visual perception, positioning it as a strong competitor against Tesla’s Optimus in the humanoid robotics field.
The company states that its humanoid robot is geared towards boosting productivity through cutting-edge technology, to speed up the transition to a “three-day work week.” According to Debo Hu, the co-founder of Kepler, this shift will give humans more time for meaningful pursuits like space exploration.
Kepler’s Forerunner series introduces a versatile humanoid robot boasting impressive capabilities. Standing at 178cm (5’10”) and weighing 85kg (187 lbs), this advanced robot features a smart hand with 12 degrees of freedom, totaling 40 degrees throughout its body.
The robot excels in various tasks, including navigating challenging terrains, obstacle avoidance, hand manipulation, lifting heavy objects, hand-eye coordination, and interactive communication. Inspired by Tesla’s Optimus, the high-tech system utilizes planetary roller screw and rotary actuator technology, enabling complex movements, precise control, and advanced visual perception.
The Kepler humanoid robot utilizes a planetary roller screw actuator for its limbs, delivering a powerful thrust of 8,000 Newtons. According to Kepler, this surpasses conventional motors, providing precision control, enhanced power, and quick responsiveness for handling complex tasks.
Additionally, the rotary actuator, situated in the waist and joints, offers strong support with a peak torque of 200Nm, ensuring smooth and efficient body movements with high accuracy at 0.01 degrees.
The Forerunner relies on a set of sensors in its head to comprehend its surroundings, including a wide-angle binocular camera, a far-field array of four microphones, an accelerometer, and an AHRS (attitude and heading reference system). To communicate with people, the robot uses a synthetic voice module and stereophonic speakers.
All the data from these sensors is processed through Kepler’s special Nebula AI system. This system enables the robot to navigate tricky places, especially uneven ground, and avoid obstacles. The Forerunner’s hands, beyond being cosmetic, are capable of sensing and gently picking up objects. With the Nebula AI system, the robot gains the intelligence to navigate through complex environments, making it versatile for various tasks, as per Kepler.
joint endeavor
Kepler promotes teamwork in the humanoid robot realm, fostering collaborations among developers to create useful innovations and a mutually beneficial environment. To coincide with the robot’s launch, Kepler has introduced a dedicated space for developers, equipped with essential tools, example projects, and abundant information. The platform not only facilitates collaboration among various robots but also offers practical online tools for project development.
Kepler is extending an invitation to developers worldwide to collaborate in enhancing humanoid robots. The initiative seeks to transform productivity with these robots, marking a groundbreaking era in their application, as stated by the company. Kepler aims to commence shipping its Forerunner robot in Q3 2024, with a price tag of approximately $30,000 for international buyers. Notably, this places it at a higher price point compared to Tesla’s Optimus, expected to be priced at $20,000.
