PAL Robotics’ headless Kangaroo robot performs squats while lifting plants

PAL Robotics has released a demonstration video of its headless Kangaroo humanoid robot performing advanced movement tasks, including squatting while lifting a container filled with houseplants. The video showcases the Barcelona-based company’s latest research platform, designed to push the boundaries of bipedal locomotion and human-like strength capabilities.

What you should know: The Kangaroo robot demonstrates fluid movement and precise object manipulation despite its minimalist, headless design.

• Standing 160 centimeters tall and weighing 40 kilograms, the robot features 28 degrees of freedom powered by custom force-controlled linear actuators with integrated force sensors.
• The demonstration shows the robot accurately gripping a plastic storage container without fingers, performing controlled squats while maintaining balance, and executing faster movements without the load.
• A vision system positioned above the torso compensates for the lack of a traditional head, giving it a distinctive appearance with an X marking on its chest.

How it works: Kangaroo’s design prioritizes energy efficiency and research flexibility through several key innovations.

• Motors are positioned close to the body to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption, while lightweight materials minimize moving inertia during locomotion.
• A decoupled leg length actuator separates vertical extension from hip swing motions, enhancing energy efficiency during movement.
• The system runs on a Linux-ROS operating environment with closed-loop force and torque controllers, allowing researchers to test different control algorithms for up to six hours on battery power.

In plain English: Think of Kangaroo like a highly sophisticated puppet where the “strings” are replaced by smart motors that can sense how much force they’re applying. The robot’s computer brain constantly adjusts these motors to maintain balance and execute movements, much like how your nervous system automatically coordinates your muscles when you walk or lift something.

The bigger picture: Kangaroo represents PAL Robotics’ evolution beyond basic bipedal demonstrations toward more complex human-like tasks.

• The company has previously developed TALOS, a 1.75-meter humanoid capable of lifting six kilograms with a single extended arm, and ARI, a social robot designed for human interaction.
• PAL’s portfolio also includes the TIAGo series and StockBot mobile platforms for logistics applications, ranging from manipulation to automated inventory tracking.
• By incorporating lifting tasks alongside balance and walking capabilities, the company is positioning Kangaroo as a comprehensive tool for exploring advanced aspects of humanoid movement and strength.

Why this matters: The demonstration signals a shift in humanoid robotics research from proving basic mobility to tackling practical manipulation tasks that could eventually enable real-world applications in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries.