Four members of the robotics team at Diocesan Boys’ School in Hong Kong have accomplished a remarkable engineering feat, creating the world’s smallest humanoid robot and breaking the previous record set by Zain Ahmad Qureshi of Pakistan in 2022.
Standing at a diminutive 141 mm (5.55 in) in height, this robot is shorter than a standard ballpoint pen by 11.3 mm (0.44 in). The innovative team behind this creation comprises students Aaron Ho Yat Fung, Isaac Zachary To, Justin Wang Tou Duong, and Ngo Hei Leung.
The Guinness World Records officially recognized the team’s humanoid robot, which was featured in an episode of its YouTube series Records Weekly. To achieve this feat, the students had to ensure their creation possessed a remarkable range of articulation, including shoulders, elbows, knees, and hips, while mastering bipedal movement.
The journey began with meticulous computer-aided design (CAD) work to craft the blueprint. They then enlisted a factory to manufacture bespoke servo motors tailored to their requirements, crucial for precise movement. The students meticulously crafted the robot’s acrylic panels and 3D-printed components within their school’s robotics lab, culminating in a remarkable technological marvel.
The assembly process was intricate. Initially constructing the legs, they employed eight servos for movement in the feet, knees, and hips. Subsequently, attention shifted to the arms, with servos facilitating articulation at the shoulders and elbows. They also integrated a mobile application for executing pre-programmed actions.
Beyond setting a world record, the students designed the robot as a versatile educational tool, compact, affordable, rechargeable, and programmable for STEAM workshops, particularly targeting underprivileged communities to foster inclusivity in technological education.
In line with their commitment to advancing STEAM education, the team intends to release the design and programming code of the robot as open-source, ensuring its accessibility and encouraging further innovation in the field.