The humanoid boasts a top speed of 10 m/s in its movements and can handle a payload of 22 lbs per arm.
The era of humanoid robots seems to flourish, with new models being developed and trained at exceptional speeds.
Another Chinese firm making advanced strides in this realm is Astribot. The Senzhen-based subsidiary of Stardust Intelligence is a robotics firm focused on developing AI robot assistants.
In a video released by the firm, its humanoid S1 is seen doing household tasks at an unprecedented pace, which marks a significant advancement for a robot.
The firm claims that S1 can perform movements with a top speed of 10 meters per second and handle a payload of 22 pounds (10 kilograms) per arm.
Astribot’s parent company, Stardust Intelligence, was founded by Lai Jie, who also worked with Tencent Robotics Laboratory, Baidu, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Jie has carried forward his experience of leading the development of Tencent’s wheel-legged robot, Ollie, and many other new types of robots.
Regarding the company title, he claims that the name Astribot “comes from the ancient Latin proverb ‘Ad astra per aspera,’ which means ‘a journey through hardship to reach stardust,’ which represents the company’s long-term plan and firm commitment to the development and popularization of AI robot technology.”
Astribot’s website claims it started operation in 2022 and took a year to develop its first humanoid robot, S1. The company claims that S1 is an advanced product “closest to human operating performance.”
Utilizing imitation learning, the S1 robot can execute a myriad of intricate tasks beneficial to humans, mirroring the operational speed and adaptability of adults. Astribot claims that the S1 is currently undergoing rigorous testing with large models and is slated for commercial release in 2024.
Astribot has refrained from sharing any technical information regarding S1 and the steps used in its training and evolution. From the video, it’s not clear if S1 has any independent locomotion abilities or whether it is intended to be a ‘counter-top’ humanoid offering only.
The video depicts the demonstrated speed of S1, which is truly impressive. The pace is adept enough to smoothly pull a tablecloth from beneath a stack of wine glasses without causing them to topple.
Moreover, the robot exhibits impressive speed and remarkable precision, seamlessly executing tasks such as opening and pouring wine, delicately shaving a cucumber, flipping a sandwich in a frying pan, and executing intricate calligraphy.
Furthermore, the video showcases the bot’s proficiency in mimicking human movements, indicating its potential as a proficient learner.
In recent weeks, the robotics landscape has witnessed a surge of innovation. The evolution of AI and large language models is helping robotics firms advance the training and development of their products.
OpenAI unveiled two remarkable creations. First, a laundry-folding robot developed in partnership with Norwegian collaborators 1X, which showcases exceptional “soft-touch” capabilities. Another association resulted in an advanced robot from the collaborators’ Figure, which exhibits groundbreaking natural language reasoning skills.
Following suit, Boston Dynamics took the game forward with the remarkable dexterity showcased by its latest Atlas robot. Meanwhile, UBTech from China impressed the world with the introduction of Walker S, a speaking bot renowned for its gentle touch.
These breakthroughs mark just a fraction of the remarkable advancements in humanoid robotics witnessed in recent times. We expect to see many more in the months to come.
Jijo Malayil Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.
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