Several months ago, the China-based company Robot Era gained global attention by introducing the human-like robot XBot-L, capable of walking along the Great Wall of China. Recently, the company continued to captivate interest by releasing an impressive video showcasing a race between two Star1 robots across the Gobi Desert, one of the most extreme environments on the planet.
Robot Era is a relatively new name in the humanoid robot manufacturing sector. Founded in August 2023, it was incubated at Tsinghua University, one of China’s leading technology institutions. Despite its recent establishment, Robot Era has quickly built a reputation for its smart robot designs, featuring dexterous hands akin to human capabilities and creative, entertaining promotional videos.
In its latest experiment, the company decided to challenge two Star1 humanoid robots in the Gobi Desert. The footage captured at the end of last month depicts the two robots racing along rugged paths amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Gobi, one of the most challenging terrains worldwide.
Star1: A Pioneer in Humanoid Technology
The Star1 humanoid robot is the latest and most advanced product from Robot Era. Although information about Star1 is still limited, it is known that each robot stands 1.71 meters tall and weighs approximately 65 kg. A standout feature of Star1 is its impressive running speed and excellent balance on complex terrains. During the race, one robot was seen running “barefoot,” while the other wore specially designed sports shoes, providing joint support during movement.
The running style of Star1 is quite unique, with its body remaining upright while its flexible legs propel it forward. The robot’s speed during the race was recorded at 3.6 meters per second, with the race lasting a continuous 34 minutes. This serves as a testament to the durability and stability of its design.
Robot Era is a prominent technology company in China, specializing in the research and development of various types of robots. Backed by the Interdisciplinary Institute of Information Science at Tsinghua University, one of China’s top universities, Robot Era has quickly established its position in the rapidly growing robotics industry.
Superior Technology Behind Star1
The success of Star1 is not only attributed to its physical design but also to its superior motor system and advanced AI computing technology. Both robots involved in the race are equipped with 400 Nm (295 lb.ft) motors, along with “precise planetary gearboxes, encoders, and high-precision drivers.” This enables Star1 to move flexibly and adapt well to various types of terrain.
Moreover, Star1’s ability to perceive and process its surrounding environment comes from an advanced AI system capable of up to 275 TOPS (Tera-Operations Per Second). This is a crucial factor that allows the robots to quickly respond to environmental changes and maintain optimal performance.
Close collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Institute of Information Science at Tsinghua University enables Robot Era to access high-quality human resources and cutting-edge technologies. Besides humanoid robots, Robot Era also develops other products such as the XHand robotic hand, capable of performing complex tasks like grasping objects.
Robot Era’s Ambitions
Robot Era is not stopping at exciting experiments. The company states that such trials will pave the way for deploying humanoid robots in various practical situations. Their goal is to bring AI-supported robots into homes and workplaces, where they can perform everyday tasks with high precision.
Competition in the humanoid robot field is intensifying, as several major companies like Tesla, Figure, Unitree, and Fourier have also entered the race. However, with rapid development and initial achievements, Robot Era and Star1 are emerging as formidable competitors in the market.
Robot Era aims to become one of the world’s leading companies in robotics, contributing to the automation process and enhancing production efficiency.
The event of two Star1 robots racing across the Gobi Desert is not just a simple product promotion campaign but also a statement about the practical capabilities and potential of humanoid robot technology. In the context of rapidly advancing AI and robotics technology, we can expect further strides from Robot Era in the near future, ushering in a new era of integrating robots into daily life.
Notable Previous Achievements of Robot Era XBot-L, the humanoid robot that climbs the Great Wall of China: This is one of Robot Era’s standout achievements, with XBot-L excelling in navigating unpredictable surfaces on the Great Wall and its navigation system in low-light areas—challenges that hinder other robots. XHand robotic hand: Developed based on modern scientific research and advanced manufacturing technology, XHand has made a breakthrough in robotics, especially in simulating complex human hand movements. |
