In an impressive leap forward for robotics and remote control, China's Dobot Robotics recently showcased the capabilities of its new humanoid robot, "Atom," as it prepared a steak. This demonstration wasn't just a display of the robot's dexterity; it was also powerful proof of advanced teleoperation, with Atom being controlled by an operator wearing a virtual reality headset located 1,800 kilometers away.
Imagine an operator in Guangdong Province precisely controlling a robot situated in Shandong Province, a vast distance away, while the robot meticulously replicated their hand movements. Atom cooked a steak in real-time, skillfully performing all the traditional cooking steps: wiping the meat with a paper towel, adding oil to the pan, flipping the piece, and sprinkling salt on it. The robot accomplished all these tasks using its five-fingered hands, mimicking the operator's movements with remarkable precision.
Atom's accuracy is exceptionally high, boasting a precision of 0.05 millimeters, according to Dobot. This incredible precision is what enabled it to so closely replicate the operator's actions.
Atom is the latest model from Dobot, a company specializing in robotic arms since 2015. It was launched this past March at a cost of approximately $27,500 USD (199,000 Chinese Yuan). This humanoid robot features 28 degrees of freedom, allowing it to perform intricate and complex tasks.
Atom represents a significant achievement in the field of remotely controlled robots. It opens the door to a wide range of potential applications, such as deploying robots in hazardous environments like nuclear power plants, performing remote surgery, or even exploring space.