Clone Robotics officially debuted the Protoclone, a biped musculoskeletal android to closely emulate the anatomy and movements of humans. The faceless, anatomically accurate robot is a significant breakthrough in humanoid robotics, blending the latest tech with an otherworldly sense of reality.
The Protoclone uses a complex network of Myofiber artificial muscles to power the movement of the skeleton’s manmade bones and joints in a manner closely mimicking the precision of the human body. It possesses in excess of 200 degrees of freedom and can simulate a vast variety of human movements, making the Protoclone among the most versatile humanoid robots in the world.
Equipped with 1,000+ Myofibers and 500+ sensors, including vision through the use of depth cameras, positioning through the use of inertial sensors, and force feedback at the muscular level through pressure sensors, the Protoclone tries to sense and act just the same way a real person would. Making the experience all the more real, Clone Robotics added a sweating-like cooling mechanism through the use of real water to prevent overheating and making the experience all the more life-like.
Originally powered by air, the transition to hydraulics holds the promise to significantly increase its force, longevity, and overall function, leading the way to greater applications in the real world.
Unlike traditional robotic movements, the Protoclone not only moves, but also moves in the same fashion as humans. It’s capable of walking, swinging from ropes, and executing precise movements at the joints, exhibiting unparalleled smoothness in robotic movements. However, among the most unsettling facts about the Protoclone is the “bleeding” function—a side effect from the cutting-edge vascular structure. The co-founder revealed the Protoclone “bleeds to death” if the robot gets punctured, a repulsive trait that’s evoked awe and discomfort in observers. The Protoclone, in contrast to other musculoskeletal androids, is also destined to be used in commercial applications. It could be employed in the home, in heavy-labor tasks, and, in the future, in humanoid service applications in various industries. The precision and dynamical movements the Protoclone enjoys are what entitle it to provide real-life solutions.
Clone Robotics’ future prospects are lofty. The company will manufacture a limited batch of 279 units under the Clone Alpha model, and the pre-ordering will become available in 2025. The pricing terms are not available, but the company plans to focus in the leading market segments in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, where the demand for humanoid robots continues to grow.
The unveiling of the Protoclone has created mixed reactions. While some in the tech community are enthused about the revolutionary abilities, others are appalled at the hyper-real movements. Tech-savvy Americans are hopeful, viewing the Protoclone as a tremendous leap in the applications of AI and automation. British people, however, are reluctant and are inquiring about the implications of humanoid robots in everyday life.
Experts in robotics and the ethics of artificial intelligence urge caution in the manner in which the Protoclone, in and by itself a tremendous technological achievement, serves to influence society. The humanoid robots, some opine, could end up displacing workers in the workforce, while others are worried about security, privacy, and the psycho-societal implications of having to cope with near-human-like machines.
