‘MISSION ROBOT’ A SUCCESS
STUTTGART / EMMINGEN-LIPTINGEN (jw) | International robotics experts recently gathered to exchange ideas at the Humanoid Robots Summit Europe in Stuttgart. This still-young industry is developing dynamically into ever-new fields of application, with long-established companies also able to drive innovation. For example, the LEIBER Group presented a newly developed, bionically optimised robotic arm, created in collaboration with the CHIRON Group.
‘Where Competencies Unite, Innovation is Born’: Guided by this principle, a joint development team from LEIBER and CHIRON set out to design and build a prototype of an ultra-lightweight yet highly robust robotic arm within just a few weeks. CHIRON Group’s expertise in mechanical engineering perfectly complemented LEIBER’s extensive know-how in lightweight design and manufacturing. The result is a proof of concept for a bionically optimized arm designed for use in humanoid robots.
This functional prototype points the way toward the production of forged and high-precision machined components for humanoid robotics. After all, the continued advancement of humanoid robots depends not only on AI-driven software but also on the lightweight design of the hardware itself. Much like human evolution was shaped by an optimal balance between cognitive capability and a musculoskeletal system consisting of skeletal structure and muscle mass, the breakthrough of humanoid robotics will depend heavily on the overall weight of the machines. The lighter the system, the less energy it consumes. At the same time, lighter systems offer greater flexibility in operation and increased resistance to wear.
The collaboration between LEIBER and CHIRON demonstrates how established industrial companies can combine their strengths to open up new possibilities in emerging industries. By bringing together expertise in mechanical engineering, lightweight construction, forging, and precision machining, they are helping to shape the next generation of humanoid robotics.
Satisfied across the board: working with a joint development team, the LEIBER Group and CHIRON Group have created a fully functional demonstrator of a bionic robotic arm in just a few weeks.
At the Humanoid Robots Summit Europe in Stuttgart, the robot mock-up took centre stage at the joint exhibition stand. It was looked after by the two CHIRON managers, Roger Schöpf (far left) and Fabian Pfaender (second from the right), as well as by York Prust (second from the left) and Simon Balk (far right), the managing director of LEIBER.
Assembly of the bionic robotic arm, which can be bent using a motor.
A look inside the robot’s forearm, developed by LEIBER, reveals its bionic design. Using near-net-shape forming, robot components can be manufactured with minimal material waste. Forged from aluminium, they remain as light as possible whilst being highly robust.
Futuristic: when viewed from the side, the demonstrator’s functional bionic structure really comes into its own.