Hainer with AI-Humanoid robot “Hainer” at the TU Darmstadt-Germany's most modern research robot-BID: TU Darmstadt / Video screenshot
Hainer - Germany's most advanced robot starts in Darmstadt
Artificial intelligence meets innovation: a new face in robotics
At the end of February 2025, the Technical University of Darmstadt presented an extraordinary new employee: a state -of -the -art humanoid robot that is considered unique in Germany and attracts worldwide attention. The 1.75 meter tall and 95-kilogram robot, officially from the “Talos series”, was baptized in Darmstadt in the name “Hainer”-a pun from the typical Darmstadt nickname “Heiner” and “AI” for artificial intelligence. With the presentation of this robot, the TU Darmstadt also gave the starting signal for its new laboratory for humanoid robotics and thus positions itself at the top of research on human -like autonomous systems in Germany.
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Technical peculiarities and skills of the robot
The robot known under the name “Hainer” (advertised: “Humanoid ai nexus for experimental research”) is characterized by a number of impressive technical features that clearly distinguish it from conventional robots. With its 32 joints, seven strategically placed cameras (one on the head, two on each hand and one on each foot) and interchangeable grassper, he can carry out complex movements and interact with its surroundings. Its impressive computing power is reinforced by an integrated AI accelerator, which means that it can also plan and carry out complex processes.
However, Hainer's decisive unique selling point is his torque control. Unlike conventional robots, which can only take up -to -preprogrammed positions, this technology enables the robot to precisely control its forces and thereby carry out more fluent, more human -like movements. Professor Jan Peters, head of the area of intelligent autonomous systems at the TU Darmstadt, emphasizes this decisive difference: "He can act torque with his 32 joints and is therefore much more flexible".
The performance of the robot is remarkable. It can lift six kilograms per stretched arm, climb stairs, run on uneven terrain and manipulate different objects with its gripped hands. In the official performance, Hainer already demonstrated some of his skills, including the flowing moving of his arms in different directions, going to a table, gripping and passing small objects and balancing on a wobbly board.
The new laboratory for humanoid robotics
With the purchase of the robot, the TU Darmstadt has also launched a new interdisciplinary research laboratory for humanoid robotics. This laboratory represents a platform to research the complex interactions between motor skills, cognitive perception and human-robot interaction. The establishment of this laboratory underlines the strategic orientation of the TU Darmstadt to operate top research in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics.
The interdisciplinary orientation of the laboratory is reflected in the participation of various specialist areas. In addition to the field for intelligent autonomous systems by Professor Jan Peters, the fields of simulation, system optimization and robotics (Professor Oskar of Stryk), Interactive Robot Perception & Learning (Professor Georgia Chalvatzaki), the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab (Professor Kristian Kersting) and specialist areas Electrical engineering and human sciences involved. This broad cooperation enables a multi -layered approach to research questions and bundles different expertise.
The laboratory is directed by Dr. Oleg Arzz, who and his team wants to use the robot for basic research on learning problems at various levels. The acquisition costs for the robot, future expansion components for more agility and dynamics as well as the laboratory equipment amount to a total of around 1.8 million euros and are borne half by the TU Darmstadt and the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Research focuses and visions
The research team around Dr. Arenz and Professor Peters pursue ambitious goals in the area of learning robotics with Hainer. A central research interest lies in the interaction of the hardware -related engine control with abstract thinking through artificial intelligence. The robot offers unique conditions for this because it can manage particularly diverse tasks - it can not only run, but also handle heavy objects and tools, which differentiates him from other humanoid robots.
An important aspect of research is learning through imitation. Professor Peters explained that the robot initially learns through this method - so he has already learned table tennis and juggling with five balls. The next goal is to learn to play the drums, as Dr. Aryz announced. Peters is confident that the robot will soon be able to read a book and reproduce its content.
However, the researchers' vision extends far beyond these immediate goals. Professor Peters predicts that humanoid robots like Hainer could be able to work independently in five to ten years, for example at dangerous jobs or in nursing. This assessment underlines the enormous potential that scientists see in the development of such robot systems.
Professor Georgia Chalvatzaki, who is also involved in the laboratory, explores the principles that are based on the complex interaction between the robot and the surrounding area as part of the ERC-funded “Siren” project. The project suggests a new systemic view of how robot can learn: a holistic representation of the robot and its surroundings as an integrated system. The results are intended to enable humanoid mobile manipulators to find their way into unstructured, human -like environments independently and to fulfill their sophisticated tasks.
International competitive situation and challenges
The TU Darmstadt positions the purchase of the robot Hainer in an international competitive environment. There are currently only five other research locations worldwide with such a robot, which underlines the exclusivity and importance of this investment. In Germany, the Hainer Darmstadt is the only one of its kind.
However, Professor Peters refers to growing international competition, especially from China and the USA. He reports that 100 to 200 companies are already researching similar technologies in China and expects a lot of money to be invested in this area in the near future. This global competitive situation illustrates the strategic importance of research on humanoid robots.
Peters mentions three essential factors as hurdles for further development and commercial production in Germany: the lack of computer scientists (“we need a healing specialist”), the complicated bureaucracy (“in Germany you have to fill out forms for a year, for which a sheet is sufficient in the USA”) and difficulties in capital recruitment. These challenges must be mastered in order to be able to survive in international competition.
Despite these hurdles, researchers from the TU Darmstadt are already working on robots with the spin -off “Telekinesis.ai” that could be used by medium -sized companies. While the conventional generation of industrial robots can only perform certain actions, the new generation should include artificial intelligence and perform a variety of different activities.
Demographic change and the role of the AI-based robot
The development of humanoid robots like Hainer raises questions about their future role in our society. Professor Peters is convinced: "We will experience that robots will be part of everyday life". He describes a future in which robots, for example, can see a YouTube learning video and then do the job immediately-a potential that could include “all sorts of”.
TU President Tanja Brühl emphasizes the social benefits of this research: "We want to make the world a little better with science". She sees the next generation of scientists responsible to advance robotics. This statement underlines the long -term perspective that the TU Darmstadt follows with its research.
In view of the demographic change and the shrinking population in many countries, robots could become increasingly important as workers. This social relevance gives research on humanoid robots an additional dimension beyond the purely scientific interest.
However, Professor Peters also points out the ethical aspects of this development: "You have to give robots ethics". This statement underlines the researchers' awareness of the responsibility associated with the development of autonomous systems.
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Next generation robotics: Hainer and the solution of global challenges
With the purchase of the humanoid robot Hainer and the founding of the laboratory for humanoid robotics, the TU Darmstadt has taken a significant step in researching human -like autonomous systems. The technical skills of the robot, in particular its torque control, open up new opportunities for basic research in the field of learning robotics and human-robot interaction.
The interdisciplinary cooperation between different specialist areas and the international embedding of research activities illustrate the holistic approach that the TU Darmstadt pursues. The vision of the scientists that humanoid robots could be able to work independently in the foreseeable future shows the potential of this technology.
However, the challenges associated with the further development of humanoid robots in Germany - a shortage of skilled workers, bureaucracy and financing issues - illustrate that the path to broad use of such systems still has obstacles. Nevertheless, the determination of the scientists involved and the strategic direction of the TU Darmstadt suggests that research on humanoid robots like Hainer will make an important contribution to technological development in this area.
As Professor Peters summarizes it: "We will experience that robots will be part of everyday life." With projects such as the humanoid robot Hainer, the TU Darmstadt helps to make this vision of the future step by step reality.
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