Lost in space. Doctor Who. Star Trek. Even The Jetsons – TV and movies throughout the 20th century and beyond were obsessed with the idea of robots who were both threats, like the Daleks in Doctor Who, and loyal companions, like Rosie in The Jetsons. However, when it comes to real-life robots, most people have mixed feelings. A survey by United Robotics found that most people are uncomfortable with robots that are too similar to humans, meaning the Cybermen are out and R2-D2 is taking over. Even so, there are a few humanoid robots currently in development, including ones from companies we’re sure you recognize, like Tesla and Boston Dynamics.
However, a new humanoid robot sold by Chinese company Unitree Robotics may not be as offensive as other robots because it stands just over four feet tall, about the size of an average eight-year-old child. The robot, called G1, recently made history, not because of its size, but because of its ability to walk for long periods of time in cold environments. Unitree G1 walked more than 130,000 steps in the snowy Altay region of Xinjiang, China, becoming the first humanoid robot to reportedly walk autonomously in such a cold environment. The temperature dropped to -47.4 degrees Celsius (approximately -53 degrees Fahrenheit), a temperature that could easily bring down your phone or tablet.
The walk was far from a publicity stunt; rather, it showed that cold-climate robots are possible and could ultimately reduce the need for humans to work in often hazardous and extreme environments. No one likes robots taking over their jobs, but not many of us enjoy working in freezing conditions.
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Unitree G1 robot wearing an orange down jacket walks in knee-deep snow – Unitree Robotics/YouTube
Humans need special equipment to survive ultra-low temperatures, and robots are no exception. To prepare for long walks on the snow, the Unitree Robotics G1 robot dons an orange insulated winter coat and plastic sleeves around its legs and feet to help protect its motors, joints and battery pack. Its trek was pre-planned and timely: The G1 drew an Olympic logo roughly 610 feet long and 328 feet wide in the snow, adjusting its balance over uneven terrain.
Depending on its configuration, the G1 has 23 to 43 joint motors and is powered by a quick-release battery with a battery life of approximately two hours. To complete its journey, it relies on advanced sensors, including 3D LiDAR and depth cameras, noise-cancelling microphones for voice control, and China’s Beidou satellite navigation system. Its adaptive path planning software helps it choose the best path to complete its mission while maintaining balance. Its maximum walking speed is approximately 4.5 miles per hour.
Unitree Robotics may still be working on the G1’s capabilities, but it’s already being sold alongside other quadruped robots. It starts at about $14,240, and by 2025, the company sold about 4,200 units. Currently, the G1 is being used in pilot and test sites rather than factories or workplaces, which is why Unitree is conducting cold weather walking tests like this. In the not-too-distant future, robots may not be fetching our slippers like Rosie, but instead working in cold storage, clearing parking lots and roads after snow, and even conducting scientific research in arctic climates.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
