PUDU D7, the semi-humanoid on wheels that works round the clock

PUDU Robotics, another Chinese company based in Shenzhen, unveiled an industrial semi-humanoid robot at IFA (its European debut) designed to operate in warehouses, logistics centres and factories. The manufacturer’s most intriguing choice is precisely that of not making it walk: none of the robot’s 23 joints are located in the legs, as these are situated in the upper body, and the omnidirectional base ensures stability, allowing the engineering focus to be concentrated on the arms and hands. The D7’s specifications are as follows: two arms with 7 degrees of freedom and dexterous hands with 11 degrees of freedom, a maximum lifting capacity of 14 kg and the ability to reach objects up to 2 metres in height. At the heart of the system is a proprietary AI model (PuduFM 1.0) which combines data collected from tactile sensors with environmental perception, supported by two LiDAR systems. D7 learns from experience and progressively adapts its movements to ensure it can carry out any handling or shelf-restocking operation. Another key feature is its autonomous battery change, enabling 24-hour continuous operation. (G.Rus)