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Beginning December 2024, China has accelerated the speed of it’s technological advancement in different fields, and some of it’s examples are latest AI models (Deepseek), Hypersonic Jumbo Jet, Artificial sun, mass production of robots, etc.
One such revolutionary invention by a Chinese company is Tiangong. Pre November 2024, there was only one popular Tiangong related to China. However, post November 2024, there are two popular Tiangongs by China. One is the space station, which we are not going to discuss here. The other one is the world’s first full-sized electric humanoid robot.
Image credits : CCTV / Youtube
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Tiangong (robot) was first unveiled on April 27, 2024 at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area also known as BDA. This robot is developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center located in the BDA. Now, before we move ahead to know about Tiangong in details, let us tell you more about BDA and Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center.
Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA)
BDA or Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area is a dedicated high-tech zone in Beijing (China), fostering rapid advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, electric vehicles, and smart manufacturing. With over 100 robotics companies operating in BDA, the region has established a complete industrial chain, integrating core components, applications development, and complete robot manufacturing.
More about Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center
Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center is a company located in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA). This organization was founded through a joint effort of enterprises specializing in complete robots, core components, and large models of robotics. The goal of this collaboration is to accelerate the technology supply and industrialization of humanoid robots, ensuring that China remains at the forefront of this advanced technological sector.
About Tiangong – Full-sized fully electric Humanoid Robot
Tiangong is a full-sized humanoid robot standing 163 centimeters tall and weighing 43 kilograms. China claims it to be the world’s first such robot that is capable of running on electric drive.
Some salient features of Tiangong are that it is capable of running at a consistent speed of 6 kilometers per hour, which is considered to be one of the fastest running robots compared to all such humanoid robots. Tiangong had been in headlines in the month of November, 2024 when it made it’s first public appearance during the Yizhuang Half Marathon in Beijing on November 10, 2024. In this event, Tiangong joined human participants by entering the track approximately 100 meters from the finish line, acted as a “closing pacer” to assist athletes in completing the race.
Tiangong is equipped with multiple vision perception sensors, allowing it to understand and interact with its environment in real time. Its onboard processor is capable of performing a staggering 550 trillion operations per second, enhancing its ability to process data efficiently and make very quick decisions. It incorporates high-precision Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and 3D vision sensors. These features enable it to navigate various terrains, including tackling slopes and stairs even in a “blind condition”, where visual input is limited or obstructed.
What is a “blind condition” in terms of robotics?
For a robot, “blind condition” means it has to move without using its vision sensors (cameras or other optical devices). Instead, it relies on other sensors, like motion sensors and force sensors, to detect obstacles, balance itself, and navigate its surroundings. Think of it like walking in the dark—even if you can’t see, you can still move carefully by feeling the ground and using your sense of balance. Tiangong can do the same, allowing it to walk on slopes and stairs even when its vision is blocked or unavailable. Below is a good video explanation of the same.
Tiangong is further enhanced with high-precision six-axis force sensors, which allow it to provide accurate force feedback. This makes it more adaptable for tasks requiring delicate control, such as handling fragile objects or performing complex human-like interactions. Its arm boasts three degrees of freedom, while the leg joints offer six degrees of freedom, providing exceptional agility and flexibility in movement.
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What is force feedback?
Accurate force feedback means that the robot can sense and control the amount of force it applies when interacting with objects or surfaces. For example, if Tiangong is picking up a fragile object like an egg, it won’t crush it because its sensors measure the exact pressure applied. Similarly, if it’s walking on uneven ground, it can adjust its steps based on the force it feels, preventing slips or falls. This ability makes the robot more precise, safe, and adaptable when handling different tasks.
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It is powered by a 48V / 15 Ah battery, ensuring a reliable and efficient power source for extended operations. It is also equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, allowing seamless communication and remote operation, making it an ideal candidate for industrial, research, and service-oriented applications.
In November 2024, the team behind Tiangong (the Embodied Artificial Intelligence Robotics Innovation Center) launched an open-source initiative. As part of this effort, the center has released software development and structural design documentation for Tiangong. This means that researchers, universities, and companies around the world can study, modify, and improve the robot without starting from scratch. In the future, they also plan to share even more details, including blueprints, electrical systems, and training programs.
By doing this, they hope that more people will help develop new features for humanoid robots and make them better, smarter, and more useful in daily life. This kind of sharing is called open-source, and it helps technology grow faster by letting many people work on it together!
