Chinese firm's first humanoid robot to take the fight to Tesla Optimus
Priced at $30,000, Kepler's Forerunner is equipped with intelligent hands boasting 12 degrees of freedom, and its entire body possesses a total of 40 degrees of freedom.

Jijo Malayil
Published: Jan 05, 2024 06:59 AM EST
innovation


Kepler's Forerunner humanoid robot.
Kepler 


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A growing number of global companies are venturing into the domain of humanoid robots, spurred by the goal of attaining "embodied intelligence" and developing universally adaptable robotic systems.
One such firm is China's robotic firm Kepler, which is all set to showcase its Forerunner humanoid robot at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 starting next week in Las Vegas. 
Kepler asserts that its general-purpose Forerunner series showcases advanced capabilities in body movements, precise hand control, and sophisticated visual perception. This positions it as a formidable competitor to Tesla's Optimus in the realm of humanoid robotics.
The firm claims that its humanoid robot aims to enhance "productivity with cutting-edge technology, hastening the arrival of a 'three-day work week.' The shift will enable humans to dedicate more time to meaningful endeavors, such as space exploration," said Debo Hu, co-founder of the firm, in a statement. 
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Advanced offering 
The Kepler humanoid robot from the Forerunner series is a versatile general-purpose robot. Standing at 178cm (5'10") and weighing 85kg (187 lbs), this advanced humanoid features a smart and nimble hand with 12 degrees of freedom. With a total of 40 degrees of freedom throughout its body, the robot excels in navigating challenging terrains, skillful obstacle avoidance, agile hand manipulation, robust lifting and carrying of heavy objects, precise hand-eye coordination, and intelligent interactive communication, claims the firm. 
The Kepler Humanoid Robot's impressive abilities are powered by a high-tech system inspired by Tesla's Optimus, utilizing planetary roller screw actuator and rotary actuator technology. This system allows the robot to perform complex body movements, precise hand control, and advanced visual perception.


The planetary roller screw actuator takes charge of the robot's limbs and delivers a robust thrust of 8,000 Newtons (1,798 pound-force). The firm claims it surpasses conventional motors in "delivering precision control, enhanced power and quick responsiveness, adeptly handling complex tasks," said a statement by Kepler. Meanwhile, the rotary actuator, operating in the waist and joints, provides strong support by generating a peak torque of 200Nm and repeating movements with high accuracy at 0.01 degrees. This ensures the robot's body movements are smooth and efficient.

The Forerunner relies on a set of sensors located in its head to understand its surroundings. These include a wide-angle binocular camera, a far-field array of four microphones, an accelerometer, and an AHRS (attitude and heading reference system). The robot communicates with people using a synthetic voice module and stereophonic speakers.
All the information from these sensors goes through Kepler's special Nebula AI system. This system is designed to help the robot move around tricky places and avoid things in its way, especially on uneven ground. The Forerunner's hands are not just for show – they can feel and gently pick up things. With the Nebula AI system, the robot becomes smart enough to navigate through complex environments, making it handy for various tasks, according to Kepler.


Collaborative effort
Kepler believes in teamwork in the world of humanoid robots, with it encouraging collaborations between developers to make useful things and build an environment where everyone benefits. To go along with the robot's launch, Kepler has introduced a place for developers. It has everything developers need, like tools, example projects, and lots of information. The firm claims the place also helps different robots work together, and it provides useful tools for working on projects online.
Forerunner robot inside a production facility.
Kepler 
Kepler is inviting fellow developers from around the world to join in and help make humanoid robots even better. The "initiative aims to revolutionize productivity with humanoid robots and inaugurate a groundbreaking chapter in their utilization," according to a statement from the firm. 
Kepler plans to start the shipping of its Forerunner robot in the third quarter of 2024, and if you're in another country, you can get one for about $30,000. The pricing makes it significantly more expensive than Tesla's Optimus, which is expected to be available from $20,000. 


https://interestingengineering.com/i...-tesla-optimus

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