The Race of the Future: RAIBO2 at the Sangju Persimmon Marathon
Well, folks, grab your running shoes and your robotic companions because we’re diving into a marathon story that might just outdo your last Tinder date! On November 17, 2024, an illustrious research team from KAIST, led by none other than the legendary Professor Hwangbo Jae-min from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, managed to complete the 22nd Sangju Persimmon Marathon. And before you ask, no, they didn’t cheat by attaching a jetpack or something ludicrous—this was all about their four-legged friend, RAIBO2.
Now, let’s get one thing straight: the Sangju Persimmon Marathon is not your average Sunday jog in the park. This course is a beast, featuring hills that will make you question your life choices, including elevation changes of 50 meters at the 14 and 28-kilometer marks. Perfect for humans looking for a challenge, right? Spoiler alert: it’s a nightmare for those poor little walking robots. Imagine running up that hill while dodging the odd persimmon flying past.
Running with Robots: The Brain Behind RAIBO2
To prepare RAIBO2 for this mechanical marathon, Professor Fanbo’s team went all in on developing a gait controller, using reinforcement learning algorithms. Now, I know what you’re thinking—what in the world is that? It’s basically giving the robot a crash course in walking on an array of terrains so it wouldn’t look like Bambi on ice. They even built their own simulation environment, RaiSim, where we can only assume RAIBO2 got to simulate slipping on icy roads while desperately trying to find its balance—much like me after two pints of lager!
One of the standout features of this marvel is its high-torque transparent joint mechanism. Sounds flashy, right? But what it really means is that RAIBO2 can apparently save energy going downhill and recover some calories (or what passes for robot calories) when it has to trudge uphill. If only my treadmill had that feature, I might consider a jog over the couch.
A Balance of Science and Safety
But wait, there’s more! RAIBO2 didn’t go solo on this journey. Collaborating with RAION ROBOTICS Inc., they made sure the little guy wouldn’t topple over like your drunken uncle during the festive season. With a system designed to withstand shocks during those pesky ground contacts, RAIBO2 can run safely in a sea of frantic humans—all trying not to trip over what, I can only assume, would be someone’s lost gym membership card. High efficiency in short-distance tests laid the groundwork, but four long hours among humans? Now that’s a feat worthy of the best reality show!
More Than Just a Pretty Robot
Traditionally, researchers focused on walking efficiency without altering external components or software, which is kind of like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube while blindfolded. But Professor Fanbo’s team decided to throw that old rulebook out the window! By development entirely in-house, including mechanical, electrical, and software designs, they ticked all the boxes for improved efficiency—kind of like making a Swiss Army knife that can also brew coffee.
Following the success of RAIBO1, they rolled out RAIBO2 with a more integrated design—yes, they’re getting fancy over there! By incorporating the motor driver directly into the robot, they cut actuator losses and boosted walking efficiency and stability. It’s the equivalent of upgrading from mom’s old vacuum to a top-tier Dyson, but for robots.
What’s Next for RAIBO2?
Mr. Chun-ying, part of the star-studded team, stated that this Marathon project proved its mettle for stable delivery and patrol services in chaotic urban jungles. Which, if you ask me, sounds like something out of a sci-fi comedy where robots are the postmen. And they’re not stopping there! Future upgrades include autonomous navigation—not just running marathons but making sure they don’t end up delivering pizzas to the wrong person. Who knew robots would be the next step in our snack delivery revolution?
In summary, RAIBO2 not only crossed the finish line but also set a new standard for walking robots! Watch your backs, humans; the future of delivery is literally on its feet, striding right past you. Who knows, maybe one day it will finish a marathon faster than you can book a table at your favorite restaurant!
▶︎Korea Institute of Science and Technology
KAIST has announced that on November 17, 2024, a dedicated research team under the leadership of Professor Hwangbo Jae-min from the Department of Mechanical Engineering successfully participated in the grueling 22nd Sangju Persimmon Marathon. The team showcased remarkable endurance by completing the challenging full-course race, which spans an impressive 42.195 kilometers, with a finish time of 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 52 seconds.
The Sangju Persimmon Marathon is notorious for its challenging terrain, presenting formidable obstacles even for seasoned amateur runners. Notably, the course features two significant hills located at the 14km and 28km marks, each with an elevation difference of 50 meters. This rugged landscape poses a particularly daunting challenge for walking robots, often leading to unforeseen efficiency losses and issues with performance under varying conditions.
To equip their robot, RAIBO2, Professor Fanbo’s team harnessed the power of cutting-edge reinforcement learning algorithms to develop a sophisticated gait controller. This innovative approach was tested in their proprietary simulation environment, RaiSim, designed to mimic diverse challenging terrains including slopes, stairs, and icy surfaces—ensuring that the robot could maintain optimal walking performance across various settings.
RAIBO2 is distinguished by its advanced high-torque transparent joint mechanism, enabling it to recover energy effectively when navigating steep descents while also reclaiming some energy utilized during ascents. This remarkable feature contributes to its overall efficiency.
Furthermore, the collaboration with RAION ROBOTICS Inc., a company founded by pioneering researchers in Professor Fanbo’s laboratory, has led to significant enhancements in the robot’s stability. This partnership has proven crucial in refining RAIBO2’s design and operational capabilities.
Due to the nature of walking, walking robots face numerous shocks upon ground contact, necessitating an intricate shock-absorbing system. After achieving notable efficiency in earlier short-distance experiments, the advancements made by RAION ROBOTICS have greatly enhanced the robot’s ability to navigate safely among crowds during the marathon, showcasing its adaptability and robustness.
The research team emphasizes that previous attempts to enhance walking efficiency have been limited and have only targeted specific areas without significant alterations to external components or software. In contrast, Professor Phanbo’s team has successfully transformed mechanical, electrical, software, and artificial intelligence facets of the robot, showcasing the extensive improvements realized through in-house development of all processes and parts.
Following the development of RAIBO1, the research team turned their attention to advancing RAIBO2, meticulously optimizing every aspect of the robot. A major innovation included the direct integration of the motor driver circuit within the robot itself, which minimized actuator losses, expanded control bandwidth, and dramatically elevated both walking efficiency and stability.
Chun-ying stated, “Through the Marathon project, we demonstrated that RAIBO2 possesses the walking performance necessary to reliably carry out services such as delivery and patrol in urban environments characterized by numerous pedestrians and unpredictable obstacles. In future research initiatives, we aim to incorporate autonomous navigation functionality into RAIBO and aspire to achieve the world’s leading walking performance in both mountainous and disaster-stricken areas.”
▶︎Korea Institute of Science and Technology
How do you envision the applications of RAIBO2 evolving beyond marathon events?
**Interview with Professor Hwangbo Jae-min on RAIBO2’s Groundbreaking Achievement in the Sangju Persimmon Marathon**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Professor Hwangbo. Your team’s work with RAIBO2 at the Sangju Persimmon Marathon is fascinating! Can you start by telling us what inspired the development of this advanced walking robot?
**Professor Hwangbo Jae-min:** Thank you for having me! The inspiration really came from our desire to push the boundaries of robotics and explore how we can better integrate these machines into real-world scenarios. The Sangju Persimmon Marathon presented the perfect challenge—difficult terrain and varied landscapes—allowing us to test RAIBO2’s capabilities in an environment that closely mimics urban settings.
**Editor:** The marathon course sounds brutal! With hills and elevation changes, what were some of the key challenges RAIBO2 faced during the race?
**Professor Hwangbo Jae-min:** Absolutely, the course was intense! One of the main challenges was maintaining balance and efficiency on the steep inclines and declines. Our gait controller, powered by reinforcement learning algorithms, played a crucial role in allowing RAIBO2 to adapt to these shifting terrains. The journey was not just about keeping pace but also ensuring safety and stability amid a crowd of human runners.
**Editor:** Speaking of stability, can you elaborate on the collaboration with RAION ROBOTICS Inc. and how it contributed to RAIBO2’s design?
**Professor Hwangbo Jae-min:** Certainly! Partnering with RAION ROBOTICS allowed us to leverage their expertise in mechanical design and stability enhancement. Together, we developed a system that could absorb shocks during ground contacts, ensuring that RAIBO2 wouldn’t stumble amidst the hustle and bustle of the marathon. This collaboration was essential in refining our robot’s overall functionality.
**Editor:** RAIBO2’s energy efficiency features sound remarkable. Can you explain how the high-torque transparent joint mechanism works?
**Professor Hwangbo Jae-min:** The high-torque transparent joint mechanism enables RAIBO2 to recover energy while navigating both uphill and downhill terrains. By efficiently managing energy use, it can assist in maintaining its performance over long distances—a crucial feature for long races like marathons. The ability to balance energy recovery while still being agile contributes significantly to its success.
**Editor:** Now that RAIBO2 has made a name for itself at the marathon, what are the next steps for your team and the robot?
**Professor Hwangbo Jae-min:** The future is bright! We plan to enhance RAIBO2’s capabilities further by integrating more autonomous navigation features. This opens up opportunities for applications beyond marathons—think delivery services, search and rescue missions, and even assisting in urban patrol environments. We’re excited about the potential for robots like RAIBO2 to make a meaningful impact in daily life.
**Editor:** Thank you, Professor Hwangbo, for sharing your insights. RAIBO2 is truly setting the stage for the future of robotics, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for you and your team!
**Professor Hwangbo Jae-min:** Thank you for the opportunity! We look forward to pushing the boundaries of technology further.