By LIN Yuchen

A robotic performance mimicking the Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva drew widespread attention at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. The humanoid robots achieved remarkably smooth arm movements thanks to smart flexible joints developed by CloudMinds Robotics—marking a significant leap beyond traditional industrial robot arms.

▲ A robot performs a shooting demonstration on the exhibition floor of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2023, Shanghai. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

To enable human-like motion in robots, CloudMinds Robotics emphasizes that high-flexibility, high-precision robotic joints are essential. This requires comprehensive advancements in perception, decision-making, and execution capabilities, as well as improvements in mechanical and electronic hardware, embedded systems, and intelligent algorithms.

智能柔性执行器实现技术突破

In 2018, CloudMinds Robotics introduced the Smart Compliant Actuator (SCA), a core component for service robots comparable to those developed by Boston Dynamics. By integrating multiple discrete components into a compact module—similar to chip integration on circuit boards—the SCA achieves breakthroughs in mechanical design, core algorithms, and manufacturing processes.

Inspired by human biomechanics, engineers observed that joint flexibility in knees and ankles varies dynamically during movement. To replicate this, they incorporated variable stiffness into elastic drive joints, enabling real-time adjustment of joint rigidity based on motion status—without altering the stiffness coefficient.

Leveraging smartphone-inspired design principles, the team embedded sensors and algorithmic chips directly into highly integrated joints. This multi-joint synergy allows robots to perform complex, precise tasks with enhanced coordination.

攻克工业化制造难题

Despite component innovation, large-scale production posed challenges due to lack of specialized industrial support domestically and globally. Key issues included sourcing high-strength, lightweight, and precision electromechanical parts suitable for mass production.

SCA miniaturization demands advanced structural design and precision manufacturing to maintain power output while reducing size and weight. Luo Cheng, an engineer at CloudMinds Robotics, noted that using high-performance amorphous magnetic materials enables more stable torque, higher efficiency, and further miniaturization—with some motors as thin as 35 millimeters in diameter.

This approach streamlines SCA manufacturing by applying smartphone-style design and industrialization methodologies.

本土化量产打破国际垄断

On March 31, 2020, CloudMinds Robotics launched its industrial base in Shanghai’s Maqiao AI Innovation Pilot Zone. Wang Bing, co-founder of the company, stated that over 100 robotics firms and research institutions have adopted SCA technology to develop diverse robotic platforms, with annual joint production capacity reaching 10 million units.

Domestic SCA manufacturing is challenging long-standing dominance by global leaders such as ABB (Switzerland), KUKA (Germany), Fanuc, and Yaskawa Electric (Japan). At the 2022 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, CloudMinds unveiled a next-generation bipedal robot equipped with 60 SCA joints, capable of stable walking and natural hand coordination.

Today, CloudMinds Robotics’ production lines are fully automated, with robots assembling other robots—an emerging paradigm of “machines producing machines” signaling a new era in industrial automation.

Editor | SONG Ziyan

Supervisor| TIAN Xueke