Unique humanoid robot tracks, mimics people’s movements with accuracy

The robot’s inverse kinematics system allows it to replicate human motions, improving its responsive and adaptive interaction with the environment.

Jijo Malayil

The robot can track and mimic human movements in real-time.

Stellenbosch University/Youtube

University students in South Africa have introduced a new humanoid robotics research platform, highlighting advancements in robotics technology.

Stellenbosch University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering has developed a humanoid robot with a full-height frame, a functional torso, an operable right arm, and a nearly finished left arm.

Outfitted with a webcam and advanced software, the robot can track and replicate human movements in real time.

“Our system performs inverse kinematics, allowing it to follow human motions. This enables theoretical teleoperation from anywhere, demonstrating its potential for remote operation,” said Dr William Duckitt, a professor at SU’s Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, told an engineering news outlet.

In February, four members of Hong Kong’s Diocesan Boys’ School robotics team engineered the world’s smallest humanoid robot, measuring just 141 mm—11.3 mm shorter than a standard ballpoint pen—surpassing the 2022 record set by Pakistan’s Zain Ahmad Qureshi.

The humanoid robot at Stellenbosch University’s currently stands at full height with a fully operational torso, right arm, and hand, while its left arm is nearly complete.

Designed for advanced human-like interaction, the robot incorporates a webcam for vision tracking, combined with sophisticated software that allows it to analyze and mimic human movements in real-time, according to Engineering News.

Equipped with an inverse kinematics system, the robot can accurately replicate the motions of a human operator, enhancing its capability to interact with its environment in a responsive and adaptive manner.

According to researchers, this feature not only allows the robot to follow complex human motions but also opens up possibilities for remote operation, as the platform is theoretically capable of teleoperation from any location worldwide.

The development of such technology underscores the potential for humanoid robots to be deployed in remote scenarios, whether for research, inspection, or collaborative tasks.

According to researchers, Stellenbosch University is pioneering innovations that bring humanoid robotics closer to practical, real-world applications by advancing the robot’s real-time movement tracking and remote operational capabilities.

The next phase of research at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering focuses on developing actuators for the humanoid robot’s legs, aiming for bipedal walking. Achieving this capability is a vital step toward creating a fully mobile humanoid robot with realistic movement and interaction.

Recognizing the growing potential of humanoid robotics, the department is actively engaging students in innovative projects. Several final-year undergraduate projects emphasize hands-on experience, as students work on designing custom actuators, advanced robotic hands, and humanoid arms with pincer grips.

The initiative aims to inspire a new generation of researchers to progress to master’s studies and make deeper contributions in this field.

The team highlights that a master’s student is also advancing research through virtual robotics simulations using the Nvidia IsaacSim platform. This project focuses on sim-to-real transfer, a technique that applies simulation results to the physical robot arm prototype, with plans to expand to the entire humanoid platform.

Built with the EtherCAT communication protocol, the platform enables both synchronous and asynchronous operations. This architecture supports tackling complex tasks and leverages technology previously applied in particle accelerator control systems, broadening the department’s academic and engineering ambitions.

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Jijo Malayil Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.

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