Sweating robot? Rapid progress in Bionics Robotics with myofiber art muscles and skeletal cooling systems

Humanoid robots and their key role in the coming technological transformation

The rapid development of humanoid robotics is on the cusp of a paradigm shift that will bring about not only technological but also profound societal changes. We are at the beginning of an era in which humanoid robots are no longer merely the subject of science fiction and research laboratories, but are increasingly permeating our everyday lives, our workplaces, and our global technological landscape. Advances in this field are so dynamic that they are not only transforming industries but also reshaping labor markets and intensifying international technological rivalry, particularly between China and Western nations.

The last decade has seen a remarkable acceleration in humanoid robotics. Innovations in biomimetic design, the integration of artificial intelligence, and strategic geopolitical considerations are the driving forces behind this development. What was once considered a futuristic vision—humanoid robots capable of performing complex tasks and interacting with us—is now within reach. This transformation is enabled by breakthroughs in synthetic musculoskeletal systems, fluid-driven actuators, and adaptive thermal management systems. These technologies have transformed humanoid robots from curious laboratory prototypes into a technology on the verge of market entry.

Progress is evident in various areas. Companies like Clone Robotics, with its Protoclone V1, impressively demonstrate the possibilities of state-of-the-art biomimetic designs. At the same time, government-funded initiatives, such as those seen at Unitree Robotics, are driving development on an even larger scale. In parallel, innovative cooling systems, like those used in robots such as Kengoro and Andi, show that functional realism is becoming increasingly important in robotics. These cooling systems, based on the principle of human perspiration, enable robots to work longer and more efficiently, even under demanding conditions.

Bionics or biomimetics: Learning from nature for innovative technologies

A key concept in the context of humanoid robotics is biomimetics, also known as bionics or biomimicry. This discipline describes the approach of designing technical systems, materials, or processes based on nature's models. Over millions of years of evolution, nature has produced an immense diversity of structures, functions, and mechanisms that are often astonishingly efficient and elegant. Biomimetics utilizes this evolutionary expertise as a source of inspiration for technological innovations.

The basic idea of ​​biomimetics is to analyze natural phenomena and understand the underlying principles. These principles are then applied to technical problems to develop new and improved solutions. The advantage of this approach lies in its reliance on proven and optimized solutions found in nature, which have proven successful in real-world environments over long periods.

There are countless examples of biomimetic developments that find application in various fields of technology and science. Some particularly relevant examples in the context of robotics are:

Myofiber artificial muscles

These innovative actuators are inspired by the structure and function of human muscles. They enable robots to move smoothly and naturally, opening up new possibilities for fine motor skills and dynamic movement sequences.

Skeleton cooling systems

Robots like Kengoro use a cooling system modeled on human perspiration. The evaporation of fluid through a porous skeletal structure efficiently dissipates heat, increasing the robots' operating time and performance.

Aircraft wing shapes

The aerodynamics of bird wings and whale flippers has significantly contributed to the development of more efficient wing shapes for aircraft. By mimicking natural designs, aircraft can save fuel and optimize their flight performance.

Velcro fastener

A classic example of biomimetics is the hook-and-loop fastener, which was developed based on the burr plant. The small hooks and loops of the burr served as inspiration for a simple and effective fastening system that is used in numerous applications today.

Biomimetics: How natural principles transform technology

Biomimetics, however, is more than just imitating nature. It is an interdisciplinary approach that combines biology, engineering, materials science, and computer science. The goal is to understand the fundamental principles of nature and creatively apply them to technical challenges. In robotics, biomimetics plays a key role in the development of humanoid robots that can move in natural environments and interact with humans.

Clone Robotics: Anthropomorphic robotics redefined

Protoclone Robotics is a company dedicated to developing cutting-edge anthropomorphic robots and has achieved a remarkable milestone in this field with its Protoclone V1. The Protoclone V1 is an impressive example of combining anatomical precision with engineering ambition. This robot represents the most comprehensive attempt to date to replicate human biomechanics in a synthetic platform.

With a complex structure comprising 206 polymer-based bone analogs, 1,000 myofiber artificial muscles, and a hydraulic vascular system, the Protoclone V1 achieves remarkable mobility. It boasts 200 degrees of freedom, surpassing even the human skeleton with its approximately 360 joints in terms of precise articulation. This high number of degrees of freedom allows the robot a wide range of movements and poses that closely resemble those of a human.

A key component of Clone Robotics' technology is its Myofiber artificial muscles. These actuators are inspired by McKibben pneumatic actuators but utilize an innovative design with water-filled mesh tubes. Under pressure, these tubes contract lengthwise, enabling a contraction of up to 30 percent in less than 50 milliseconds. A force ratio of 3 grams to 1 kilogram demonstrates the efficiency and power of these artificial muscles. They allow for both fine motor finger movements, necessary for precise manipulations, and dynamic full-body poses, impressively demonstrated in a viral video released by the company in January 2025.

The Protoclone V1 is not only an impressive prototype, but also the precursor to the “Clone Alpha” initiative, which envisions a limited market launch in 2025. Clone Alpha is designed to integrate synthetic organ systems that mimic human metabolic processes. A grid-based “vascular network” distributes hydraulic fluid throughout the robot, while dual cameras and 320 pressure sensors create a proprioceptive feedback loop similar to the biological nervous system. This feedback allows the robot to perceive its position and movement in space and adjust its actions accordingly.

The polymer skeleton of the Clone Alpha contributes to a significant weight reduction. It is 40 percent lighter than comparable aluminum frames, yet retains its stability under lateral loads of up to 200 Newtons. This combination of lightness and stability is crucial for the robot's agility and energy efficiency.

Among the first users of Clone Alpha are luxury hotel chains and automotive manufacturers. These companies are testing the platform for various applications, including concierge services and precision assembly processes. In luxury hotels, for example, the robots could assist guests with check-in and check-out, provide information, or transport luggage. In the automotive industry, they could be used in assembly processes where precision and repeatability are crucial.

Despite the impressive technical achievements of Clone Robotics and the Protoclone V1, the robot's design also raises questions about public perception. The lack of facial features, combined with the hyperrealistic movements of its limbs, can trigger the so-called "uncanny valley" phenomenon in some people. The uncanny valley describes a feeling of unease or rejection that arises when humanoid robots or animations resemble us but simultaneously exhibit subtle differences that make them seem "uncanny" or "creepy.".

Researchers, such as Dar Sleeper from OpenAI, have observed that the design of the Protoclone V1 could potentially provoke such reactions. In response, Clone Robotics has adjusted its marketing strategy. The focus is now less on the robots' cosmetic human-like features and more on their functional anthropomorphism. Clone robots are positioned as "powerful tools" rather than human companions. This strategic realignment aims to increase public acceptance of the robots and minimize potential negative reactions due to the uncanny valley.

Unitree Robotics and China's strategic robot offensive

Unitree Robotics is another company playing a key role in the development of humanoid robotics, particularly in the context of China's strategic focus on this technological field. The presence of Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing in the front row at an economic symposium with President Xi Jinping in February 2025 sends a clear signal: humanoid robotics is considered a central pillar of China's "new productive forces" and is being promoted accordingly.

In his speech at the symposium, Wang Xingxing emphasized the remarkable advances in reinforcement learning architecture that have made it possible to significantly shorten the training cycles of the G1 robot for complex tasks. For demanding tasks such as folk dance choreography, the training cycles could be reduced from 10,000 to just 800 iterations. This increase in robot training efficiency is crucial for the faster development and wider deployment of humanoid robots in various application areas.

The government program “Robotics+”, launched in 2024, underscores China’s commitment to robotics. This program allocates US$2.3 billion annually for the development of national actuator and sensor systems. This government funding directly benefits suppliers like Zhejiang Changsheng, which has seen impressive year-on-year growth of 600 percent. This massive government support demonstrates that China views robotics as a strategically important industry and is investing heavily in its development.

Unitree Robotics' G1 platform is a prime example of China's pragmatic strategy for deploying humanoid robots. With 43 degrees of freedom, including 26 in each hand alone, the G1 achieves a remarkable 15-centimeter precision in object manipulation. Notably, Unitree relies on cost-effective harmonic gears instead of proprietary actuators. This approach suggests a strategy focused on scalability and cost-effectiveness, rather than maximum performance at any price.

An impressive example of the capabilities of the G1 and Unitree's swarm robotics was the "Yang BOT" spring festival performance. In this demonstration, 12 G1 robots performed synchronized movements with an impressively low latency of just 0.2 seconds. This swarm coordination technology is crucial for industrial swarm applications where multiple robots need to work together to solve complex tasks.

Unlike Clone Robotics, which focuses on a luxury positioning, Unitree pursues a strategy of scalable production with a comparatively low base price of $45,000 for the G1. This pricing aims to make the robot accessible to a wider audience and encourage its use across various industries. Partnerships with companies like Alibaba Cloud integrate advanced language models such as Tongyi Qianwen LLMs to enable natural language programming of tasks. This simplification of programming lowers the barrier to entry for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and facilitates the integration of robots into existing workflows.

Unitree's production facility in Shenzhen currently produces 200 G1 units per month. The company has ambitious goals and plans to achieve a 30 percent market share in the Asian logistics automation market by 2027. This strategic focus on the logistics sector, which has enormous growth potential, underscores China's ambition to take a leading role in the global robotics industry.

Biomimetic thermal management: Sweating robots for longer operating times

 

One of the biggest challenges in robotics, especially with humanoid robots that have complex movements and high power consumption, is thermal management. The electronic components and actuators built into robots generate heat during operation, which must be dissipated to prevent overheating and the associated performance losses or damage. Biomimetic approaches offer innovative solutions inspired by nature.

A remarkable example of biomimetic thermal management is the skeletal cooling system of the Kengoro robot, developed at the University of Tokyo. Kengoro features a thermoregulating skeleton made of 3D-printed porous aluminum. Microcapillaries with a diameter of only 50 micrometers run through this structure. Deionized water is circulated through these capillaries, evaporating at a rate of 30 milliliters per hour. This evaporation process dissipates heat, enabling a cooling capacity of 488 watts, compared to 359 watts for conventional air cooling.

This innovative cooling system allows Kengoro to operate continuously, even during strenuous exercises like push-ups, without the motors overheating. In tests, Kengoro was able to complete 11-minute push-up sessions without any decrease in motor performance. However, the system also has a drawback: it results in a 12 percent weight increase compared to conventional cooling systems.

The Andi project at Arizona State University has further developed and improved the concept of the sweating robot. Andi features 35 independent welding zones and carbon fiber "pores" that can adaptively adjust their evaporation rates based on data from 200 internal temperature sensors. In tests conducted in Phoenix, Arizona, at an ambient temperature of 47 degrees Celsius, the system was able to keep the temperature of critical components below 85 degrees Celsius. At the same time, Andi consumed 23 percent less coolant than closed-loop liquid cooling systems. This adaptive welding model demonstrates that biomimetic cooling systems can be not only efficient but also resource-saving.

Despite their efficiency, sweating cooling systems also present challenges, particularly regarding maintenance and long-term stability. Kengoro, for example, requires weekly descaling flushes to remove deposits from the microcapillaries that could impair cooling performance. Andi's epoxy resin skin was found to show signs of degradation after 200 heating cycles. These maintenance and durability issues are important aspects that must be considered in the further development and industrial deployment of sweating robots.

Passive cooling methods are also being researched as an alternative to liquid-based cooling systems. Clone Alpha, for example, uses phase change material (PCM) layers in its muscles. PCMs are materials that change their state of matter at a specific temperature, absorbing or releasing heat in the process. This passive cooling method does not require liquid systems but has an 18 percent lower heat dissipation capacity compared to active, liquid-based systems. Ultimately, the choice of the appropriate cooling system depends on the specific requirements of the robot application, including the required cooling capacity, weight, maintenance requirements, and operating environment.

Global market dynamics and ethical considerations in humanoid robotics

Humanoid robotics is not only an exciting technological field, but also a rapidly growing market with significant global impact. In 2024, venture capital in the humanoid robotics sector reached an impressive US$17.4 billion. The Asia-Pacific region accounted for the largest share at 61 percent, underscoring the importance of Asia, and particularly China, in this field.

Besides the primary robotics manufacturers, secondary markets are also benefiting from this growth. Suppliers of specialized components and technologies are experiencing disproportionate growth. One example is Harmonic Drive SE, whose stock rose by 89 percent after securing a contract for reduction gears from Unitree. This development demonstrates the diversity of the humanoid robotics value chain and the numerous business opportunities it offers.

With the increasing use of humanoid robots in various fields, regulatory and ethical questions are also coming to the fore. The European Union, for example, is working on a draft directive on artificial liability law (expected in 2026). This directive could stipulate that humanoid robots must meet certain safety standards, such as limited skin pressure forces of less than 80 Newtons per square centimeter and emergency shutdown mechanisms. Such regulatory measures aim to ensure the safety of humanoid robots but could also increase the cost per unit by an estimated US$12,000. A balanced approach must be found that promotes both human safety and the innovative capacity of the robotics industry.

In addition to regulatory issues, ethical dilemmas are playing an increasingly important role. The “synthetic human” rhetoric used by companies like Clone Robotics raises profound philosophical questions about identity, autonomy, and the relationship between humans and machines. A 2024 MIT study found that 68 percent of participants attributed intentional will to the Protoclone V1, despite being aware of its programming. These findings suggest that human perceptions of humanoid robots are complex and influenced by various factors, including the robots' design and how they are presented to the public.

The increasing human-like qualities of humanoid robots also raise questions about their role in society. Will they become competitors in the workplace or valuable helpers in various areas of life? How will their presence influence our social interactions and our self-understanding as human beings? These questions require a broad societal debate involving experts from various disciplines, politicians, businesses, and the public. Only in this way can a responsible and ethical approach to humanoid robots be ensured, one that optimally utilizes the opportunities of this technology while simultaneously minimizing potential risks.

The future of humanoid robotics – a balancing act between technology and society

Humanoid robotics is in a dynamic and exciting stage of development. Rapid technological advances, particularly in biomimetics, artificial intelligence, and materials science, are enabling the development of increasingly powerful and human-like robots. Companies like Clone Robotics and Unitree Robotics are significantly driving this development forward with their innovative approaches and products.

The future of humanoid robots will be decided not only technically, but also socially

At the same time, we face the challenge of reconciling technological possibilities with societal needs and ethical considerations. Regulatory frameworks must be created that promote both safety and innovation. An open and broad societal debate is necessary to discuss the ethical and social implications of humanoid robotics and to shape a responsible approach to this technology.

The future of humanoid robotics will not be determined solely by technological innovations, but also significantly by societal acceptance, ethical guidelines, and the responsible use of this transformative technology. It is up to us to set the course so that humanoid robots become an enrichment for humanity and not a source of conflict or inequality. The potential is enormous, but it requires a clear compass and a collective effort to harness this potential for the benefit of all.

At a time when a company's digital presence determines its success, the challenge is how to make this presence authentic, individual and far-reaching. Xpert.Digital offers an innovative solution that positions itself as an intersection between an industry hub, a blog and a brand ambassador. It combines the advantages of communication and sales channels in a single platform and enables publication in 18 different languages. The cooperation with partner portals and the possibility of publishing articles on Google News and a press distribution list with around 8,000 journalists and readers maximize the reach and visibility of the content. This represents an essential factor in external sales & marketing (SMarketing).

More about it here:

• Authentic. Individually. Global: The Xpert.Digital strategy for your company

☑️ SME support in strategy, consulting, planning and implementation

☑️ Creation or realignment of the digital strategy and digitalization

☑️ Expansion and optimization of international sales processes

☑️ Global & Digital B2B trading platforms

☑️ Pioneer Business Development

 

I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.

You can contact me by filling out the contact form below or simply call me on +49 89 89 674 804 (Munich) .

I'm looking forward to our joint project.

 

 

Xpert.Digital is a hub for industry with a focus on digitalization, mechanical engineering, logistics/intralogistics and photovoltaics.

With our 360° business development solution, we support well-known companies from new business to after sales.

Market intelligence, smarketing, marketing automation, content development, PR, mail campaigns, personalized social media and lead nurturing are part of our digital tools.

You can find out more at: www.xpert.digital - www.xpert.solar - www.xpert.plus