Fourier Intelligence has been manufacturing exoskeletons and rehabilitation devices since 2017. The Shanghai-based company launched its first generation of humanoid robots this year, designated the GR-1.
The humanoid platform includes 40 degrees of freedom distributed throughout its body, which measures 1.65 m (5 ft., 5 in.) in height and weighs 55 kg (121.2 lb.). The joint module that is fitted at the hip of the robot is capable of producing a peak torque of 300 Nm, which allows it to walk at a speed of 5 kph (3.1 mph) and carry goods that weigh 50 kg (110.2 lb.).
Making the leap from exoskeleton development to humanoid design is a logical progression, as the humanoid platform shares many of the mechanical and electrical design elements that Fourier developed for its core product line. Actuation is a core competency of the company, and by designing and building actuators, it claimed that it can optimize the cost/performance of the system.
The Exomotus exoskeleton is designed to help patients with spinal injuries learn to walk again. | Credit: Fourier Intelligence
With the launch of GR-1, Fourier also unveiled the Fourier Smart Actuator (FSA), an all-in-one actuator series. Not only is the actuator unit high-performance, but it is also cost-effective, which the company said is key to its design goals and market price for the GR-1.
Fourier developed the Exoskeleton Robot Open Platform (EXOPS) with National Instruments (NI) and the University of Melbourne. EXOPS is intended to be a development platform for schools, research and development institutions, and clinical centers.
Fourier is exploring ways to deploy this device to use cases such as disaster relief and response, senior care, and household service. It includes a large multimodal language model comparable to that which supports ChatGPT. This enables the robot to program itself to execute tasks, it asserted.
GR-1 also features an “integrated emotion AI module,” a high-resolution oval display, and circular microphone array for its voice-recognition system. These features make human-machine interactions more natural, Fourier told The Robot Report.
Fourier ready to start production
The company recently announced that it is ready to launch the production version of the GR-1. The robot is equipped with depth cameras in its head and torso.
In addition, the GR-1 is equipped with visual algorithms to perceive its immediate surroundings. This allows the robot to rapidly recognize different objects and people, as well as realize functions including obstacle avoidance and visual task guidance.
The GR-1 humanoid robot is designed to operate within a human-centric world. | Credit: Fourier Intelligence
The GR-1’s robotic hands have 11 degrees of freedom that allow it to securely grasp items, said Fourier. The user can direct the robot to retrieve items.
The hands imitate the range of motion in human fingers when grabbing cylindrical and round objects, such as bottled water and electric screwdrivers. GR-1 autonomously calculates the motion paths for grasping using visual feedback.
In addition, Fourier said it has engineered the robot to securely grasp objects of different dimensions and configurations by adjusting its gripping force, enabling it to gently handle any item.
The system also works with fleet management software, so users can coordinate multiple GR-1 units from a central point. This will include mission assignments, task assignments, and the tracking of fleet operations.
The GR-1 also has a teleoperation mode for use with an augmented reality headset and 5G technologies.
Fourier Intelligence designed the GR-1 humanoid robot to react to the world around it. | Credit: Fourier Intelligence
Market opportunities open for GR-1
Fourier said it expects to sell the GR-1 for applications such as research and education, concierge and guiding, entertainment and exhibition, industrial production and logistics, healthcare and rehabilitation, safety inspection, household service, and companionship. The company already has a sales team and partner channel established for its rehabilitation offerings.
No price has yet been announced for the production unit.
Humanoid robots got a lot of attention this past year, as developers including Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, Figure AI, Sanctuary AI, Tesla, and Unitree demonstrated progress with dexterous manipulation and bipedal locomotion. Most are initially intended for applications in logistics and manufacturing, and Agility Robotics is in commercial trials with Amazon and GXO Logistics.
The global market for humanoid robots could experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.5%, from $1.7 billion in 2023 to $36.1 billion by 2030, projected MarketDigits. It noted demand in healthcare and search-and-rescue use cases.
Technavio was even more bullish, estimating an increase of $16.05 billion from 2022 to 2027 at a CAGR of 53.45%. The research firm noted the potential flexibility of humanoids in industrial settings and said that North America could account for 35% of global market growth.
Mistake
Right they do not see what is coming. To understand scripture, is to see the strong corrolation. Its not us to be theoretically controlled to be a hidden government low key process of elimination commands. This will be hard for many to under stand is to the imeadiate conditioning of mans facination of this new area of likeness of an image. But this AI creation is to be released on the 2nd coming. Its the last attempt of when that man went into the middle east and had changed the one worlders plans. Now here you and i are living it as you read it. The head of the snake was burned. MAUI
Where is the battery, It cant run long on what is shown here. I note the hands on most shown here have no fingers.
The perfect ending to that video would have been for it to put away dishes and clean litter boxes.
Your on point, they have made few advancements on practical uses with some robotics but there will never be a humadoid robot that can handle household chores. We will have machines that can help but never a real single humanoid robot that can do the work
It’s probably not that advanced yet like the tesla bot
As a “Baby Boomer,” I am personally excited to see these advancements in robotic and exoskeleton technology. Moreover, to know that as an aging “Baby Boomer,” I may likely see and perhaps utilize a consumer based production model, specifically tasked as a caretaker assistant of one’s home, and a “caregiver” assistant to the informed aging “Boomer.”
Great work for your Company too expand into the future of Robots human noids. Great work.
Thank you for the article !
That’s great teach me the future of robotics.
Not a mistake this is the future for humanity
I’m interested about technology, so can you give me any Opportunity?
Awesome!
This is where our next generation is heading towards. My children are studying it in school whereas the need for programmers, developers, engineers will be needed. Regrettably this will dispalce entry level jobs.. older folks, younger etc..
corporations would soon see this and add it to there bottom line… In my opinion it’s difficult to understand but it’s going to happen. I’d like to know more and see about entering in to this space
This is all a scam, for what porpoise do we need this other than raising money? We have already mastered humanoid robots 13 years ago with the Honda made robot and it shows how gullible we are. Total scam, these can’t be powered for long and they are inefficient. So anyone want to debate the value of this bogus robot, I would love to here it, this is a fantasy of a joke just to raise money, I said what I said 👈
I hope hack security is on the top of the list, these can operate in a fleet mode. Is the military buying these as well
I guess we are building terminators now.
Such an amazing development. Soon we will see these types of robots working fast food and bagging groceries. No more mistakes and no more grumpy cashiers. I’m looking forward to it!
are you not scared that a robot might have malfunctions and turn against you?…
I honestly do not see this as progress. The covert narcassist psycopaths will only use a
I and robotics to enslave humanity and continue wars. History has repeated itself over amd over again. We just get more efficient at killing. Humanity has lost its soul and common sense. Arrogance is prevalent.