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neoDavid: A Humanoid Robot With Variable-Stiffness Actuation and Dexterous Manipulation Skills

  • Sebastian Wolf
  • , Thomas Bahls
  • , Bastian Deutschmann
  • , Alexander Dietrich
  • , Marie Harder
  • , Hannes Hoeppner
  • , Cynthia Hofmann
  • , Ana Huezo Martin
  • , Manuel Keppler
  • , Leonard Kluepfel
  • , Henry Maurenbrecher
  • , Xuming Meng
  • , Anne E. Reichert
  • , Manuel Stoiber
  • , Markus Bihler
  • , Maxime Chalon
  • , Oliver Eiberger
  • , Werner Friedl
  • , Markus Grebenstein
  • , Maged Iskandar
  • Viktor Langofer, Martin Pfanne, Antonin Raffin, Jens Reinecke, Tilo Wusthoff, Alin Albu-Schaffer
  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
  • Ifp - Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH & Co. KG
  • Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin
  • Agile Robots
  • Stoiber GmbH Maschinenbau
  • KINETIK Space GmbH

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Dexterity and strength are essential for performing a variety of tasks in the unstructured environments of household services and craftsmanship. For these tasks, we have developed neoDavid, a robust humanoid robot with dexterous manipulation skills. neoDavid has joints with variable-stiffness actuators (VSAs), which have mechanically adjustable elasticity in the drive train, a continuum elastic neck, and a gravitationally compensated torso with overload couplings. We present our modular approach in the development, starting from system architecture over mechatronic components, communication, and control to higher-level software. We demonstrate how this modularity enables scalable enhancements, allowing us to evolve the system from a single arm and hand into a complete humanoid robot. Additionally, we highlight advancements in perception, manipulation, and motion planning, along with the implementation of offline task planning utilizing capability maps. The versatile character in terms of dexterity and robustness is demonstrated in challenging applications, e.g., handling a drill hammer, fine manipulation of a pipette, and emptying a dishwasher.

Original languageEnglish
JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2025
Externally publishedYes

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