Fourier teases new advanced capability GR-II humanoid robot

Chinese robotics Fourier Intelligence has teased its new humanoid GR-2, which is expected to offer a significant leap in robotic capabilities.

In mid-2023, Fourier Intelligence introduced its inaugural general-purpose bipedal robot, the GR-1. The humanoid’s primary focus was to aid older people in carrying out various functions.

Although the new video teaser offers little information about the new robot, it shows that GR-II is a more evolved and polished product, intended to service a more diverse set of customers.

Fourier has also implemented general-purpose robotics on a large scale in medical and rehabilitation contexts. Through its RehabHubTM product matrix, it has given patients access to complete solutions and high-performance rehabilitation robots.

In a video released in late 2023, the GR-1 is also seen performing some dynamic camera movements, finger motions, arm waves, air punches, shallow half-squats, waist twists, and a touch of stiff-legged walking.

AI-assisted elder support

The GR-1, which was first introduced at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, is designed to help patients with a range of tasks, including moving from beds to wheelchairs and lifting goods.

The GR-1 project, which was initiated in 2019, includes humanoid robots that aim to meet the growing need for AI-assisted therapy and companionship for China’s aging population.

With the GR-1, the Fourier developers have created a device that is more than just a caregiver, thanks to their skillful fusion of functionality and originality.

The GR-1 can lift an amazing 110 lb (50 kilograms, kg) thanks to its 300-Nm hip actuators, which are equivalent to 221 pound-feet (lb-ft). This is an impressive performance for a robot of its size. Because of this feature, the GR-1 is seen as useful for helping patients with a range of tasks, such as using a wheelchair or getting out of bed.

The GR-1 humanoid has seen many crucial improvements in the last six months, all of which are expected to feature in its upcoming GR-2 version. These include more dexterous hands, the ability to carry out diverse tasks, VR teleoperations, and locomotion analysis.

Further, GR-I has now completed voice interaction training, features brain-computer interface robotic control, and can precisely imitate human actions.

Enhanced perception in humanoid robots

The company revealed in June that it had integrated a camera-based pure vision system that includes occupancy networks, transformer models, and bird’ s-eye view (BEV), marking a significant advancement in perception technology for its humanoid robot , GR-1.

Environmental perception is crucial for humanoid robots transitioning from labs to real-world applications. It enables them to understand their surroundings and make informed decisions based on sensor data.

In Fourier’s new pure vision setup, the GR-1 robot is equipped with six RGB cameras, providing a 360-degree view that allows it to perceive its environment from all angles and generate bird’s-eye view (BEV) images for accurate identification and tracking.

Using these BEV photos, GR-1 uses transformer models to translate the complicated environment into three-dimensional spatial information so that it can recognize layouts and gauge occupancy.

In order to let GR-1 navigate through passable and inaccessible locations, the occupancy network then generates a 3D grid. GR-1 successfully identified cars and pedestrians during outside tests, showcasing its real-time object tracking and environmental mapping capabilities.

Fourier claims that by focusing exclusively on the camera, GR-1’s environmental perception is improved and hardware expenses are decreased, allowing for human-like precision in safe and effective operations.