'Artificial human' robot moves 1,000 muscles

Clone Robotics Company shared a new video introducing its first humanoid robot with a musculoskeletal system, Protoclone, Interesting Engineering reported on April 14. This is a robot described as having a bone structure like a human frame, and can move naturally using Clone Robotics' Myofiber artificial muscles.

Protoclone has more than 200 degrees of freedom (the number of moving joints), 1,000 Myofiber fibers (which create tendons and muscles) and 500 sensors to simulate real muscles and functions.

Instead of designing movement around rigid structures, Clone Robotics simulates human anatomy using soft, water-powered muscles, allowing for more realistic movement and movement.

In December 2024, the company introduced the first humanoid robot that can walk naturally. Named Alpha, the robot achieved this breakthrough through Clone Robotics' transformation from rigid actuators to soft, water-powered artificial muscles.

Protoclone's Myofiber is tuned to mimic mammalian muscles, reacting in less than 50 milliseconds, contracting more than 30% when unloaded, and producing more than a kilogram of force per 3-g fiber. According to the company, with more than 1,000 Myofiber fibers, the humanoid robot exhibits high energy density, speed and performance. Its upper body alone has 164 degrees of freedom, including 26 degrees in the hands, wrists and elbows, 20 degrees in the shoulder joints and 6 degrees in each spine.

Protoclone features a sophisticated sensing and control system that includes four depth cameras for vision, 70 inertial sensors to sense joint movements, and 320 pressure sensors for muscle force feedback. Clone Robotics' control mechanism uses an integrated microcontroller along the spine and an NVIDIA Jetson Thor GPU in the skull. The vascular system operates with a compact 500-watt electric pump and Aquajet valve that delivers high-pressure hydraulic fluid to the muscular system, resulting in dynamic movement.

Clone Robotics, founded in 2021, focuses on biomimetic robotics that replicate the strength and flexibility of living organisms. Unlike companies like Tesla that develop robots for household chores, Clone Robotics aims for more complex human-like functions by addressing the challenge of anatomical precision and movement through advanced artificial skeletal and muscle systems.

An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering)