Components

Robots are typically powered by batteries. However, there is increasing attention towards providing them with hybrid fuel cell battery combination. Let’s take a look at plusses and minuses of each and how a hybrid system can work. Batteries: Advantages: Disadvantages: Fuel Cells: Advantages: Disadvantages: Because of these characteristics, fuel cells fit better to heavier applications such as vehicles and backup power, while batteries are almost […] Read More

What is Whole Body Control (WBC) in humanoid robots? Humanoid robots are among the most complex robotic systems, with lot of joints, which work not in isolation but must work in coordination. The rotation of each joint, along each axis, is one degree of freedom (DOF). Actually DOF can also be linear, not only rotational (such as when analyzing structures in civil engineering), but in […] Read More

Similar to why humans have senses, a humanoid robot has sensors to be able to obtain data from its environment. This data must be processed effectively which should run in coordination with the main control system of the robot. Let’s first take a look at typical sensor types that are used in a humanoid robot. Sensor Types in a Humanoid Robot Force sensors: Measuring force […] Read More

Mechanical structure of a humanoid robot is what holds every physical component together, serving the same duty as a human skeleton. The structure must be designed to provide mobility, stability, strength, dexterity and balance while allowing humanlike movements for the robot to function similar to a human while doing physical tasks. The frame that serves as the skeleton can be made commonly from aluminum, carbon […] Read More

Control systems in a humanoid robot serve as the layer between the main AI system (that is responsible from the overalllearning, planning, reasoning and decision making of a robot) and the hardware that will enable robot’s actions. According to the “order” given by the AI, the control system then executes this order, while at the same time coordinating all systems within the robot. The highest […] Read More

Actuation means movement generation. Achieving humanlike movement is not an easy task and requires many degrees of freedom actuation systems to be used while utilizing robotics principles and watching out for safety rules. Mainly the following types of actuators are used, although other types for very specific applications also exist: Electric motors and servos: Electric motors can run on AC or DC power and is […] Read More

A very important aspect of humanoid robot design and construction is power supply and management. No matter how advanced we make a machine, if it is not able to operate with sufficient power intensity and duration, it will be of little use. This power must not only be sufficient, but must also be distributed optimally, and also be used efficiently within each component at all […] Read More

Introduction Humanoid robots, which were only a handful advanced systems until few years ago, are now being developed in large numbers and able to perform increasingly complex tasks. Many experts in AI and Robotics estimate that in the next decade or even by the end of this decade, we will start seeing humanoid robots helping us around the house, on the streets, factories, offices. These […] Read More