iRonCub3 (robot)

History

2025: Product Announcement

The world's first flying humanoid robot was presented by specialists from the Italian Institute of Technology. Successful tests of the device became known on June 19, 2025. The developed android called iRonCub3 is able to rise into the air and maintain stability in flight thanks to four jet engines. With a mass of 70 kg, the robot generates thrust over 1000 newtons, which allows it to perform controlled movements in space.

According to Interested Engineering, the robot is developed on the basis of the third generation of the android iCub. The design of the machine includes two jet engines on the hands and two additional ones in the knapsack unit, which provides the ability to hang in the air and stability under the influence of wind.

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Фото: Official YouTube IIT-AMI

During the first tests, the iRonCub3 rose to a height of about 50 cm and demonstrated the ability to maintain balance in flight. The robot's turbines emit exhaust gases at a temperature of 800 ° C, which required the creation of a special titanium "spine" and heat-resistant coatings to protect the structure.

Android development and testing took two years. The main difficulty was to ensure the stability of the flight of the machine with movable limbs and an elongated body. Unlike symmetrical drones, the aerodynamics of the iRonCub3 are constantly changing due to the unstable center of mass.

To address sustainability, the scientists created new flight control models and real-time aerodynamic performance assessment systems. The Italian Institute of Technology team collaborated with the Polytechnic Institute of Milan to conduct wind tunnel tests.

Stable flight of the robot is provided by neural networks trained on simulated and experimental data. Artificial intelligence systems are integrated into android control and allow it to respond to air turbulence and limb repositioning during flight.^[1]

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