Overview

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a bipedal humanoid robot for frontline military operations, aiming to minimize troop exposure to danger.
• Separate prototypes for the robot's upper and lower body have been successfully tested over four years, with the integrated system showcased at the National Workshop on Advanced Legged Robotics in Pune this week.
• The current focus is on improving its ability to execute operator commands, maintain balance, and navigate autonomously using SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping).
• The robot's upper body features lightweight arms with 24 degrees of freedom, designed for tasks such as handling hazardous materials, opening valves, and overcoming obstacles in challenging terrains.
• Targeted for completion by 2027, the robot is part of broader efforts to deploy advanced legged robotics across defence, security, healthcare, and space exploration sectors.