An engineering team at the Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence group at the Italian Institute of Technology has spent the last several years developing a proof-of-concept for an autonomous, jet-powered flying humanoid robot. Designed in the hopes of one day being able to respond to disaster zones, the iRonCub3 has seen multiple revisions. Built around the iCub–a humanoid robot designed for AI research– the iRonCub3 has been subjected to wind tunnel tests, overhauls of its neural network, and replacing its humanoid hands with even more jets.
“iRonCub3 represents a major leap forward from earlier versions of the iRonCub project,” the team tells NewAtlas. “While the original versions were used to develop and test components in isolation – such as jetpack design, estimation algorithms, or aerodynamic learning – iRonCub3 is the first complete system to integrate all those elements into a fully functional flight-capable humanoid robot.”
The iRonCub3’s newest test saw it achieve stable liftoff, though in highly-controlled conditions. Impressively, the team behind the robot asserts that its neural networks are integrated into the robot’s control architecture in a way that “guarantees stable flight.”
“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,” says Team Lead Daniele Pucci. “Here, thermodynamics plays a pivotal role – the emission gases from the turbines reach 700 °C temperature and flow at nearly the speed of sound. Aerodynamics must be evaluated in real-time, while control systems must handle both slow joint actuators and fast jet turbines. Testing these robots is as fascinating as it is dangerous and there is no room for improvisation.”
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