From medical rehabilitation exoskeletons to universal humanoid robots, Fourier Intelligence promotes core technology upgrades

From WABOT, developed by Waseda University in 1972, to Tesla’s Optimus, which debuted in 2022, human scientists have been developing humanoid robots for half a century. Today, in Zhangjiang, Pudong, a robot that resembles a human skeleton is walking with agile steps. This is the latest general-purpose humanoid robot GR-1 released by Fourier. After stacking multiple layers of technology, this humanoid robot is expected to truly enter the home in the next five to ten years.

On July 12, the Fourier Intelligent General Robot Strategy Conference was held in Zhangjiang Robot Valley, officially announcing that Fourier Intelligent would shift from focusing on dedicated rehabilitation robots to building a general robot technology platform.

Possess superior athletic ability

Collaboration with people has huge potential in application scenarios

Tall and slender, the universal robot GR-1 launched by Fourier Intelligence is 1.65 meters tall, weighs 55 kilograms, has 40 degrees of freedom throughout the body, the maximum joint module peak torque can reach 300NM, and the walking speed can reach 5KM/h, can carry 50kg. Because this robot has a highly bionic trunk configuration, anthropomorphic motion control, and has motion functions such as fast walking, agile obstacle avoidance, stable uphill and downhill, and resistance to impact interference, it combines cognitive intelligence and can complete actions in collaboration with humans. It has huge potential in multiple application scenarios such as industry, rehabilitation, home, and scientific research.

Because GR-1 is taller, has a wider field of vision, and has a slimmer figure, it has higher flexibility, which greatly enhances its ability to adapt to the environment. "Gu Jie, founder and CEO of Fourier Intelligence, introduced that in terms of the two parameters of the whole body's degree of freedom and the maximum joint module peak torque, GR-1 is currently in a leading position in the domestic market.

The creation of humanoid robots involves interdisciplinary research in multiple disciplines such as machinery, materials, electronics, control, intelligence, and bionics. This not only drives industrial development, but also faces high technical difficulties. Unlike industrial robots that are specialized in a certain field, humanoid robots have a wider scope of application. The same product can be used in multiple fields.

What kind of humanoid robot has core competitiveness? The industry generally believes that there are still many difficulties and pain points in the development of humanoid robots. Just walking like a human is a problem for the industry. The strength of Fourier intelligence is its important movement ability index in the implementation of future universal humanoid robots.

It is reported that GR-1 uses electric drive technology, which can meet the movement needs of robots and has a high degree of accuracy and flexibility. Compared with hydraulic drive, it is more cost-effective and has the advantages of commercial-scale mass production. It is also energy-saving and There are also advantages in resource utilization. According to current test results, GR-1 has demonstrated adaptability under different mission requirements and working environments.

Achieve mass production and delivery within one or two years

In five to ten years, robots are expected to enter the home

Gu Jie began his dream of building a humanoid robot when he was a student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He said frankly: "This wish has been in my mind for nearly 20 years." Rather than starting blindly, he gradually moved into exoskeleton robotics in the field of medical rehabilitation.

Since 2015, the Fourier Intelligence team has devoted itself entirely to the product research and development of rehabilitation robots. In the following years, it has successively launched more than 30 products such as upper limb rehabilitation robots and lower limb exoskeleton robots, becoming a leader in the field of domestic intelligent rehabilitation. of leading companies. Six years ago, exoskeleton robots were first fitted to patients; six years later, universal humanoid robots have been realized.

“Over the past seven or eight years, through the production and research and development of rehabilitation equipment such as exoskeletons, we have accumulated a lot of technology in motors and joints. The robot we developed is very powerful, but its movements are very smooth. "Gu Jie said. During the development process of exoskeleton robots, the Fourier Intelligence team has accumulated underlying technologies such as sensors, modular design, integrated actuators, and bionic mechanical structures. It has core advantages especially in the field of actuator joints.

For a robot, the actuator is the key to ensuring its flexible movement and effective task execution. It determines the robot's strength, stability, load adaptability, safety and reliability when performing various actions and tasks. Based on Fourier Intelligence's self-developed FSA high-performance integrated actuator series, GR-1 combines powerful movement capabilities with smart body design, taking the lead in the same field.

Just like humans, the body and neural network need to develop to a certain extent to complete a certain job well. For a robot, its joint strength and motion control are crucial. In summary, the ultimate pursuit of universal humanoid robots is to achieve comprehensive physical and intellectual development.

Gu Jie pointed out that the current GR-1 is only in its infancy, and its movement and functional capabilities have only been demonstrated about 1%. More importantly, it has the potential to acquire new abilities through continuous training.

We hope to cooperate with companies with application scenarios and jointly develop to unleash the potential of GR-1 and make the ecosystem richer. GR-1 has such 'physical qualities'. In the future, it can develop general-purpose humanoid robots in specialized fields with companies in need. In the early stage, it can explore doing field inspections and other tasks. On the one hand, it can save labor, and on the other hand, it can reduce the risk of high-risk situations. The personnel waited unexpectedly. "Gu Jie said.

Robots are currently developing rapidly in China, and the iteration cycle is getting shorter and shorter. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, humanoid robots are expected to be widely used like real people in various consumer segments, becoming an important practical application scenario of artificial intelligence.

Talking about Fourier Intelligence’s future plans in the field of general humanoid robots, Gu Jie said: “First of all, Fourier Intelligence hopes to achieve mass production and delivery within one or two years; secondly, it is hoped that in about three years, the robot will be able to complete tasks very dexterously. General tasks; finally, I hope that within five to ten years, robots can enter the home."

Source: Pudong Release

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