The Polish startup Clone Robotics introduced Protoclone V1 as a revolutionary humanoid robot system that duplicates human skeletal structure. Protoclone V1 distinguishes itself from standard humanoids through its 200 degrees of freedom and 1,000 myofibers and 500 sensors. The synthetic skeletal structure in this robot resembles real biological structures to enable natural movements, thus making them one of the best robotic systems developed to this point.
The faceless android displayed its movements while hanging in a workshop during a 40-second social media video. The company intends to shift from pneumatics to hydraulics as their next step to improve system movements. The Protoclone V1 represents the first bipedal musculoskeletal android, according to Clone Robotics, but the University of Tokyo developed the Kengoro humanoid in 2017 with a similar design concept. The main purpose of Kengoro was research, while Clone Robotics focuses on developing commercial applications.
The company dedicates itself to biomimetic robotics through human anatomical replication for creating dynamic and powerful robotic systems. The company created its initial robotic products through a hand with movable fingers and a torso that performed complex shoulder and spinal motions. The Protoclone represents the most advanced stage because it uses artificial muscle structures combined with synthetic ligaments along with simulated tendons to produce human motion effects.
Myofiber stands as the core technology at Clone Robotics because it functions as an artificial muscle system that functions better than conventional actuators. The water-driven artificial muscles function like mammalian muscles by moving at high speed and with exceptional efficiency within 50 milliseconds. The upper body segment of Protoclone V1 delivers 164 degrees of biomechanical freedom thanks to its continuous sensor data feedback and operates through 164 degrees of motion.
The advancement of development at Clone Robotics leads to predictions about humanoid robots attaining natural movements and increased dexterity, which will drive industry automation toward healthcare and manufacturing applications.
