Alex: New humanoid robot tackles dumbbells, dishes and diverse tasks like a pro

Boardwalk Robotics has introduced its new humanoid robot called Alex, aiming to enhance productivity and efficiency across various industries.

A video released by the firm showcases the humanoid, devoid of legs, carrying out various household tasks like organizing and cleaning a vessel.

Founded in 2017, Boardwalk has been a key commercial partner with the Institute for Human Machine Cognition (IHMC) in Florida, particularly in the construction of robots.

One of the most prominent outcomes of this collaboration is the Nadia humanoid, a research platform developed with significant contributions from Boardwalk.

“We’ve used Nadia to learn a lot in the realm of dynamic locomotion research, and we’re taking all that and sticking it into a manipulation platform that’s ready for commercial work,” says Brandon Shrewsbury, Boardwalk Robotics’ CTO, told IEEE Spectrum .

Recently, Nadia captured attention with its impressive performance in the boxing ring, sparking amazement and curiosity among spectators.

AI-powered productivity

BoardWalk has provided limited details about Alex on its website. The specification brief mentions the robotic system offering 19 degrees of freedom, allowing for exceptional maneuverability and precision.

According to the firm, tts end-effector and lower body design are agnostic, ensuring versatility across various applications.

With high-speed joints capable of 9 radians per second and wrists offering a 300-degree range of motion, the system excels in tasks requiring agility.

Additionally, the low back driving torque of less than 1 Nm enhances safety and control, while the continuous payload capacity of 22 pounds (10 kilograms) ensures consistent performance in handling demanding workloads.

According to BoardWalk, with Alex , it aims to advance industries by integrating AI to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and scale businesses rapidly. In manufacturing, Alex’s AI-powered capabilities boost efficiency, allowing for quicker production and expansion.

In logistics, Alex aims to eliminate the need for human intervention by automating tasks from package sorting to handling irregular cargo, ensuring seamless operations.

Additionally, the firm claims that Alex could also a crucial role in maintenance, assisting with vital tasks such as aircraft sustainment and oil rig management, making it an indispensable asset across various sectors.

Safe robotic solutions

A key feature of Alex is its lack of legs, at least for now. Boardwalk believes that for a humanoid to be practical and cost-effective in the near term, legs aren’t essential.

Instead, many tasks can still provide a strong return on investment with a stationary pedestal or an advanced autonomous mobile robotic base, which are sufficient for numerous applications

“There are going to be some problem sets that require legs, but there are many problem sets that don’t. And there aren’t very many problem sets that don’t require halfway decent manipulation capabilities. So if we can design the manipulation well from the beginning, then we won’t have to depend on legs for making a robot that’s functionally useful,” said Robert Griffin, a technical advisor at Boardwalk, told IEEE Spectrum.

Boardwalk also views safety as a key advantage in the humanoid space, where competition is limited. By keeping Alex legless and on a stable base, it can safely operate near humans, move its arms faster, and maintain a dynamic safety zone.

Although Alex originated in a research environment, it is not designed as a research robot. While it can be purchased for research, Boardwalk plans to market Alex primarily as a commercial robot.

Currently, Boardwalk is running pilot programs in collaboration with select customers, aiming to eventually shift to a service-based model.