Humanoid robots are getting more agile and potentially more useful. LimX Dynamics Inc. today released a video (see above). It shows a full-sized humanoid lying down, doing parallel squats, rotating at the waist, and lifting itself into a standing position by rotating its legs in a way that human hips cannot.
“With ongoing advancements in system engineering, @LimXDynamics full-size humanoid robot features a hollow actuator design and high torque-density actuators, enabling full-body balance for a wide range of motion,” with the company on LinkedIn. “Now it achieves complex full-body movements in a ultra stable and dynamic manner.”
Founded in 2005, LimX described itself as “a general-purpose robotics company” applying advances in embodied artificial intelligence to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI). The Shenzhen, China-based company said it is working on hardware, software, and a foundation model for applications in manufacturing, household, and other sectors.
LimX legged robots march on
Last year, LimX posted a video showing its W1 wheeled quadruped standing on two legs. The company is among the humanoid developers working with NVIDIA Isaac Sim to apply simulation and reinforcement learning to robot activities.
Other robotics organizations that have experimented with combining wheels and legs include ANYbotics, ETH Zurich, Unitree, and Swiss-Mile. In July 2024, Chinese organizations issued draft guidelines for the development of robots including humanoids, seen as a priority for economic development.
In August 2024, LimX demonstrated its CL-1 humanoid robot loading heavy objects continuously. It said this demonstrated its real-time, perceptive locomotion plus manipulation plus whole-body control. The CL-1 was able to adopt multiple postures, lift and unload objects, and adjust in response to external disturbances.
In October, LimX launched its TRON 1 biped robot, which is available for preorder at $15,000. The platform offers modular point-foot, sole or standing, and wheeled foot options. It is intended to help accelerate humanoid robot development.
TRON 1 comes with built-in motion-control algorithms, is ready for remote control out of the box, and has an open software development kit (SDK) and hardware interface. In addition, the two-legged robot works with Python to eliminate the need for users to be proficient with complex programming languages such as C++. TRON 1 is also designed with expansion ports for a range of accessories such as sensors.
The modular TRON 1 combines wheels and two legs. Source: LimX Dynamics
Funding still flowing to humanoids
In July 2024, LimX also known as Zhuji Dynamics, raised unspecified Series A funding. It has raised $27.5 million to date, according to Crunchbase. Past investors include Alibaba Group, Shangqi Capital, and Lenovo Capital.
Tracxn noted that LimX ranked sixth in total funding among humanoid developers, following Figure AI at $754 million, Agility Robotics at $180 million, Unitree at $155 million, SoftBank Robotics at $117 million, and Apptronik at $32.8 million.
A year ago, 1X Technologies raised a Series B of $100 million, and just this week, Samsung Electronics Co. increased its stake in Rainbow Robotics by $181.6 million.
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I would appreciate some ideas on how to introduce robot manufacturers to an existing facility that we have. It is currently occupied by ABB robotics and they will be vacating the facility since they have built a new facility nearby. It has many critical components that are necessary for Hi-Tech manufacturing including a fully conditioned environment , light & medium cranes, abundant office, abundant electrical capacity, and most important; has access to a workforce it is skilled in dealing with the manufacturer of electrical components.
Very Cool.
One of the hardest things for robots to do is to get themselves up after falling. Lets not fool ourselves, there will be times when a robot will trip & he will need to get himself up. ATLAS is the only bot I know
of that can. Can ASIMO ? One curiosity on this bot>>> What are the 2 actuators below the knee for?
Notice how large the knee actuator is. Very Cool.
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