2023-08-24 17:42:38
Apptronik unveils Apollo: a humanoid robot expected at the end of 2024 for the price of a car. In order to market its machine before the competition, the firm has chosen to focus it on tasks requiring little skill!
Since Tesla unveiled its Optimus humanoid robot project, many companies and startups around the world have revealed their own plans and the industry seems to have suddenly accelerated massively.
Among the main players, we can mention 1X, Figure, or even Sanctuary AI. In this great race for humanoid robots, one of the contenders has just passed the peloton: Apptronik has unveiled its highly anticipated Apollo humanoid robot.
Until now, the company was mainly known for its research and development work on exoskeletons for the US government and the Department of Defense.
It was founded in 2016 by CEO Jeff Cardenas, CTO Nick Paine and advisor Luis Sentis at the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin.
However, at the end of 2020, Apptronik had entered the field of robotics with a humanoid torso called Astra.
Several examples were produced and sold to research laboratories, but Astra’s real role was research.
It allowed Apptronik to understand all the intricacies of two-armed manipulation, perception, and hand-eye coordination that enabled the development of Apollo.
An innovative design resulting from many years of research
With a height of 172 cm for 72.5 kg, Apollo is able to lift a maximum weight of 25 kg. The removable battery should give it regarding 4 hours of battery life.
Its design by argodesign gives it a balance between complexity and accessibility, makes it simple to use and easy to recognize.
This robot is the culmination of more than 13 generations of electric actuators developed by Apptronik. Thanks to the innovative design of the actuator in the joints, the company will be able to reduce material costs and complexity while improving the reliability of the system once in the field.
The firm made a bold strategic move by eliminating commercially available rotary joints and motors in favor of its own intellectual property.
What will Apollo be used for?
Initially, Apptronik plans to deploy its robot in warehouses to move boxes, bins and crates using what the CEO calls “rough handling”.
These tasks involve moving objects that can be lifted without the need for a fully dexterous hand and wrist.
By choosing to focus Apollo on this type of work, the manufacturer was able to get ahead of the competition and present its automaton now.
As Cardenas explains, Apptronik has partnered with people pushing the boundaries of dexterous manipulation while buying hands from groups building more affordable robotic prostheses.
Unlike others in the industry, he does not view hand development as a trade secret for his company and does not object to partnerships with other companies focused in this area.
The future “iPhone” of robotics
The CEO admits that humanoid robots will need hands in the long run, as most of the work done by humans today involves some level of dexterity.
However, he is more excited regarding the possibility of applying current robots with existing technology to rough handling tasks.
Apptronik’s goal is to build a general-purpose robot capable of performing many jobs currently performed by humans, handling tools and operating in all types of environments.
The firm wants to create “the iPhone of robotics”, multitasking and able to learn to perform new actions using a simple software update.
Before reaching this stage, however, he must begin by being able to perform three or four different tasks. And at least one of those tasks correctly and timed enough to provide a positive return on investment for users.
Furthermore, Apptronik’s priority is safety. The robot will use its visual perception and force sensors to slow down when humans approach. It can even stop completely if necessary.
If he stumbles and begins to fall, Apollo can even roll into a ball to limit the damage to himself and his surroundings. The goal is to allow the machine to collaborate with the human.
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but it should be similar to a new car. The pilot launch date is planned for the end of 2024, before general commercialization in 2025!
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