- Technology
- Robotics
The model demonstrated remarkable precision, stability and speed across a highly complex dance routine.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Share Share by:- Copy link
- X
Watch On
In a striking display of agility and grace, a humanoid robot named "Adam-U Ultra" has danced its way through a complex, highly energetic routine without faltering, slipping or missing a beat.
In a new video released by the Chinese robotics firm PNDbotics, the bot — which builds upon the company's original Adam robot, unveiled late last year — is seen performing a sequence of complicated steps. The dance is remarkably nuanced and human-like, and it includes complicated arm, waist and feet movements — all perfectly coordinated with accompanying music.
According to PNDbotics representatives, such complicated motion is possible because of the model's 41 independently controllable joints or actuators. These provide Adam with a huge range of flexibility and motion, enabling it to mimic human motion — even in something as challenging as freestyle dancing. Although the video refers to the dance sequence as the Charleston, it's really more akin to a hip-hop dance routine.
You may like-
Watch: Chinese company's new humanoid robot moves so smoothly, they had to cut it open to prove a person wasn't hiding inside
-
New 'Transformer' humanoid robot can launch a shapeshifting drone off its back — watch it in action
-
Creepy humanoid robot face learned to move its lips more accurately by staring at itself in the mirror, then watching YouTube
All of those actuators are coordinated by PNDbotic's advanced control system and communication architecture. These include an artificial intelligence (AI) computing platform built around Nvidia's Jetson Orin module — a system-on-module (SoM) that combines a CPU, GPU and other components to create a "brain" for AI platforms.
The robot is constantly iterating and improving on things like stability and balance by combining whole-body control and model predictive control systems built on large-scale simulated environments and neural network training.
Adam-U Ultra also includes a sophisticated vision-language-action (VLA) model, an embodied AI system that sees the world, understands instructions and directly controls actions, enabling robots to perform real-world tasks through natural language guidance. Essentially, you can speak to it to tell it what to do and it will respond accordingly. It's backed up by 10,000 samples of real-world behavior designed to help the platform learn and adapt its movement to changing conditions on the fly.
The vision element of Adam's VLA is driven by an Intel RealSense D455 depth vision sensor, which enables precise 3D environment modeling and real-time spatial awareness, as well as a number of lidar and standard cameras.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter nowContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The fully humanoid robot shown dancing is being developed in parallel with PNDbotics' Adam-U robot, a stationary model designed primarily as a data collection platform. According to the company's website, four fully mobile humanoid robots are also in development, with varying levels of freedom of movement, sensory capabilities and computing power.
—Watch this humanoid robot perform a side flip for the first time
—Intrepid baby-faced robot dons a jetpack for its next adventure — becoming the first humanoid robot to fly
—Bizarre robotic chair concept looks like a crab and can carry you around the house — it can even help you into your car
One of the keys to Adam's fluid movement is how relatively lightweight the platform is. Even the heaviest model, the Adam Pro, only clocks in at 139 pounds (63 kilograms), while the lightest is a scant 132 pounds (60 kg). All the models stand 5.2 feet (1.6 meters) tall.
PNDbotics claims that Adam can fulfil a multitude of potential roles, ranging from research and laboratory work to medical assistance and rehabilitation scenarios. It says its robots could help train medical personnel in rehabilitation exercises, monitor patient recovery or even collaborate in surgeries.
The company's website also suggests that Adam could be deployed in traditional industrial roles on manufacturing lines, or in service industries as a concierge or receptionist.
Alan BradleyFreelance contributorAlan is a freelance tech and entertainment journalist who specializes in computers, laptops, and video games. He's previously written for sites like PC Gamer, GamesRadar, and Rolling Stone. If you need advice on tech, or help finding the best tech deals, Alan is your man.
Show More CommentsYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Watch: Chinese company's new humanoid robot moves so smoothly, they had to cut it open to prove a person wasn't hiding inside
New 'Transformer' humanoid robot can launch a shapeshifting drone off its back — watch it in action
Creepy humanoid robot face learned to move its lips more accurately by staring at itself in the mirror, then watching YouTube
Why the rise of humanoid robots could make us less comfortable with each other
Creepy robotic hand detaches at the wrist before scurrying away to collect objects
New 'Dragon Hatchling' AI architecture modeled after the human brain could be a key step toward AGI, researchers claim
Latest in Robotics
Creepy humanoid robot face learned to move its lips more accurately by staring at itself in the mirror, then watching YouTube
Drones could achieve 'infinite flight' after engineers create laser-based wireless power system that charges them from the ground
Why the rise of humanoid robots could make us less comfortable with each other
Creepy robotic hand detaches at the wrist before scurrying away to collect objects
New 'Transformer' humanoid robot can launch a shapeshifting drone off its back — watch it in action
Watch: Chinese company's new humanoid robot moves so smoothly, they had to cut it open to prove a person wasn't hiding inside
Latest in News
Halley wasn't the first to figure out the famous comet. An 11th-century monk did it first, new research suggests.
James Webb telescope breaks own record, discovering farthest known galaxy in the universe
South Carolina's measles outbreak nears 790 cases — making it the biggest in decades
5,000-year-old rock art from ancient Egypt depicts 'terrifying' conquest of the Sinai Peninsula
Stone Age teenager was mauled by a bear 28,000 years ago, skeletal analysis confirms
NASA jet crashes in flames on Texas runway — taking it out of the Artemis II mission
LATEST ARTICLES
1The Snow Moon will 'swallow' one of the brightest stars in the sky this weekend: Where and when to look- 2Hawke Frontier ED X 8x42 review
- 3Halley wasn't the first to figure out the famous comet. An 11th-century monk did it first, new research suggests.
- 4James Webb telescope breaks own record, discovering farthest known galaxy in the universe
- 5South Carolina's measles outbreak nears 790 cases — making it the biggest in decades
