World’s first flying humanoid robot

 World’s first flying humanoid robot takes off in spectacular debut over Italy, uses AI and jet thrust to hover in test flight

In a ground breaking advance in robotics and aeronautics, researchers in Italy have successfully launched the world’s first jet-powered humanoid robot. The machine, called iRonCub3, lifted off the ground by around 50 cm's and maintained balance during flight. Built with jet turbines and a titanium spine, Italy’s iRonCub3 takes flight, blending AI, aerodynamics and human-like motion in mid-air. Italian researchers have unveiled the iRonCub3, the world’s first jet-powered humanoid robot capable of achieving controlled flight, marking a revolutionary step forward in technology designed for complex and hazardous environments. Following are the some of the important points:-

iRonCub3 is a jet-powered humanoid robot developed by the Italian Institute of Technology, marking a major milestone in robotics.

Advanced AI systems and flight control models allow the iRonCub3 to maintain stability during flight, overcoming aerodynamic challenges.

Equipped with four jet engines, the robot can hover and stay stable, even in challenging environments, thanks to its titanium spine and heat-resistant coverings.

Future applications include rescue missions and exploration in hazardous locations, showcasing the potential of humanoid robots in real-world scenarios.

Developed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), the robot is designed to operate in real-world environments using aerial mobility and a human-like structure. The milestone marks a leap in multi-modal robotics. It blends terrestrial movement with controlled flight, opening the door for future rescue missions and exploration tasks in complex or hazardous locations. This ground breaking invention combines advanced aerodynamics, artificial intelligence and human-like mobility to achieve controlled flight. The iRonCub3 takes a significant step forward in the field of robotics, showcasing the potential for humanoid robots to operate in complex environments. By lifting off the ground and maintaining balance mid-air, this innovation paves the way for future applications at different locations.

iRonCub3 is based on the third generation of the iCub humanoid robot and is teleoperated. It carries four jet engines, two on its arms and two on a backpack unit. This setup allows it to hover and stay stable even in the presence of wind or physical disturbances. The robot weighs 70 kg and can generate more than 1000 newtons of thrust. The turbines expel exhaust gases at 800°C, demanding a new titanium spine and protective heat-resistant coverings to ensure safety and functionality. The research team at IIT, led by Daniele Pucci, spent two years developing and testing this innovative robot. According to Pucci, the project required a substantial leap forward in humanoid robotics, pushing the boundaries of what is currently possible. The iRonCub3 represents a radical departure from traditional designs, incorporating cutting-edge technology to achieve new levels of performance and adaptability in extreme environments. “This research is radically different from traditional humanoid robotics and forced us to make a substantial leap forward with respect to the state of the art,” said Daniele Pucci, head of the Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence (AMI) Lab at IIT.

Stability during flight was a key challenge. Unlike drones, which are symmetrical and compact, iRonCub3 has movable limbs and an elongated body. These features create shifting aerodynamics and a dynamic centre of mass. To solve this, researchers developed new flight control models and real-time aerodynamic estimators. The IIT team collaborated with the Polytechnic of Milan for wind tunnel testing and with Stanford University for machine learning applications, researchers enhanced the robot’s performance. “Our models include neural networks trained on simulated and experimental data and are integrated into the robot’s control architecture to guarantee stable flight,” said Antonello Paolino. These AI-powered systems allow iRonCub3 to react to turbulent airflows and shifting limb positions mid-flight. The robot can also handle quick transitions like sequential jet ignition or structural movement during takeoff. These AI-powered systems allow the iRonCub3 to react swiftly to turbulent airflows and shifting limb positions. By integrating neural networks trained on simulated and experimental data into the robot’s control architecture, the team ensured stable flight. The innovative co-design approach optimized the robot’s shape and engine placement, maximizing flight control while withstanding extreme thermal and aerodynamic conditions. Through numerous simulations and tests, improvements were made in thrust sensors, heat management and automated takeoff and landing planners.

Initial flight tests took place in IIT’s indoor lab, where the robot successfully hovered. Future tests will move to a dedicated flight area at Genoa Airport, set up in collaboration with Aeroporto di Genova. The potential applications for flying humanoid robots like the iRonCub3 are vast. Flying humanoid robots like iRonCub3 may be used in disaster zones, toxic environments or missions requiring both flight and manipulation. The research and development efforts surrounding the iRonCub3 have been published in Nature Communications Engineering, highlighting the robot’s potential impact on future rescue missions and exploration tasks. As technology advances, the integration of humanoid robots in various fields could revolutionize the way we approach complex and hazardous tasks, offering new solutions and possibilities previously unattainable. The iRonCub3 represents a significant milestone in robotics and aerodynamics, showcasing the potential for humanoid robots to operate effectively in challenging environments. As researchers continue to refine and expand the capabilities of this innovative technology, the possibilities for its application seem limitless. Researchers used a co-design approach to build iRonCub3. This method allowed them to optimize the robot’s shape and engine placement at the same time. The goal was to ensure maximum flight control while withstanding extreme thermal and aerodynamic conditions. They iterated through numerous simulations and experimental tests to fine-tune the robot’s systems. What new frontiers will these flying humanoid robots conquer next, and how will they reshape our understanding of robotics and human-like mobility in the years to come? It is still a big question in the future ahead.