The U.S. Army has named five companies as winners of the xTechHumanoid competition, which focuses on technologies for future humanoid robotic systems.
The selected technologies include systems for robot power, ballistic protection, tactile sensing, autonomous control and software for executing commands.
One of the winners is ACES Group, with a power system for humanoid robots. The solution uses scalable energy-storage technologies, ranging from larger power systems to batteries for individual robots.
IHMC presented the humanoid robot Alex. It is equipped with impact-resistant actuators and ballistic protection, while its control system combines artificial intelligence and human control for complex and dangerous missions.
Another development focuses on power generation. Hydroplane has created compact mobile power-generation systems designed to provide long-duration power in contested logistics environments.
RAS Labs is developing fingertip tactile sensors. They allow robotic systems to detect force, the shape of an object, slippage and other physical interactions.
The fifth winner is Velocity Explorations. Its software builds on command-and-control technologies to translate trusted information and a commander’s intent into discrete actions for humanoid robotic systems.
The xTechHumanoid competition was launched by the Army FUZE xTech program in partnership with the Humanoid Community of Collaboration. Organizers received 103 submissions, with ten companies advancing to the finals. Nine of them demonstrated their technologies on September 9–10 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, according to DVIDS.
The U.S. Army said the competition is intended to help assess the development of commercial humanoid technologies and identify the technical challenges that remain in this field.
