Clone, a humanoid robotics startup based in Poland, has announced the early release of its latest creation, a highly advanced humanoid robot designed for service and hospitality roles. The company plans to manufacture 279 units of the limited edition Clone Alpha, which will be available for pre-order in 2025.
These androids will come equipped with a range of pre-installed skills and will also feature the ‘Telekinesis’ training platform, allowing users to teach the robot new skills. This announcement has generated a lot of buzz in the tech world, with many expressing excitement about the potential of these humanoids.
Clone’s previous developments include Torso, a bimanual android actuated with artificial muscles, and Clone Hand. While this is a significant achievement for the field of robotics, some are also expressing doubts about the product’s delivery.
The Clone Alpha integrates advanced artificial muscle, skeletal, nervous, and vascular systems for unparalleled human-like functionality. Its ‘Myofiber’ technology, developed in 2021, actuates natural animal skeletons by attaching musculotendon units to bones. This technology allows for a muscle response in under 50 ms, with over 30% contraction and 1 kg of force per 3-gram muscle fibre.
The skeletal system replicates the human body with 206 bones, featuring fully articulated joints, artificial ligaments, and connective tissues. The design includes 1:1 ligament and tendon placement for a highly flexible structure. The shoulder has 20 degrees of freedom (DoF), the spine adds 6 per vertebra, and the hand, wrist, and elbow provide 26 degrees, totalling 164 DoF in the upper torso alone.
The nervous system enables instantaneous muscle control via proprioceptive and visual feedback. Equipped with four depth cameras, 70 inertial sensors, and 320 pressure sensors, it ensures precise movement and force feedback. Microcontrollers relay data to the NVIDIA Jetson Thor GPU running Cybernet, enabling advanced visuomotor coordination.
The vascular system features a compact 500-watt electric pump supplying hydraulic pressure to the muscles, allowing for smooth and precise movements. The Clone Alpha also boasts a durable polymer construction, making it both affordable and robust.
While the potential of these humanoids is undeniable, some are questioning the feasibility of the product’s delivery. However, with the rapid advancements in technology, it is only a matter of time before humanoid robots become a common sight in our daily lives.
