n TECHNOLOGY IGUS HAS UNVEILED ITS first humanoid robot, aimed at industrial production, service and transport tasks. The robot – called Iggy Rob – has a “market-disruptive” price of just over £40,000, and is said to provide a cost-effective entry point into the humanoid market. Other humanoids can cost three times more. Instead of legs, the robot moves around on a wheeled base that igus already uses for its ReBeL Move AMR (autonomous mobile robot). This base has a three-point bearing and is said to be suitable for many factories, as well as enhancing the robot’s stability and functionality. The robot, which is about 1.7m tall, has a load capacity of up to 50kg. It can operate autonomously for up to eight hours on a single charge of its battery. It is equipped with two ReBeL cobot arms, bionic hands, a LiDAR sensor, and 3D cameras for advanced object detection and navigation. Together, these enable smooth movements and interactions with dynamic environments. The robot is powered by igus’ Robot Control software (iRC), is CEcertified, and is approved for fleet management under VDE 5050 standards. An integrated ROS2 interface ensures compatibility with modern robotics infrastructures. igus has identified various potential uses for its humanoid, ranging from moving items around industrial sites, to clearing cutlery in canteens. igus plans to use Iggy Rob internally to place parts in its injection-moulding machines. “Because our environment is built by and for humans, the potential for humanoid robots is immense,” says Jan Hennecke, manager of igus’ Low-Cost Automation/RBTX business. “Iggy Rob offers a practical, affordable way for companies to begin integrating robotics into their operations.” The introduction of the humanoid robot marks the culmination of years of innovation at igus in the field of Low-Cost Automation. Key developments have included the launch of the igus ReBeL cobot in 2022, the igus ReBeL Hand (a low-cost humanoid hand) in 2023, and the igus ReBeL Move (a low-cost AMR) in 2024. While other humanoid systems remain prohibitively expensive for many businesses, igus aims to lower the barrier to adoption with an affordable, versatile robot that uses its own motion plastic components. To accelerate the adoption of its robots and to ensure their suitability in a range of environments, igus is offering a “test before you invest” option. This will allow companies to trial Iggy Rob on-site with support from igus experts who will assess its feasibility for, and performance in, real-world applications. www.igus.com ‘Disruptive’ legless humanoid robot costs around £40,000 igus’ Iggy Rob offers a low-cost entry to humanoid robots for industrial and service applications Enclosures from the smallest to the largest. For more Technology News visit www.drivesncontrols.com
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