Humanoid, the UK start-up company specializing in robotics and artificial intelligence, has just set a new precedent with the unveiling of its bipedal robot HMND 01 Alpha. This platform managed to walk autonomously just 48 hours after its final assembly, something unheard of in the industry.
The Alpha model was developed in just five months, a period well below the traditional development average of 18 to 24 months. This breakthrough is supported by an intensive virtual training system, run through Nvidia’s Isaac Sim and Isaac Lab, where the robot accumulated more than 52 million seconds of locomotion data through reinforcement learning.
From simulation to real movement in days
Humanoid’s approach minimizes the gap between simulation and physical environment. Thanks to ultra-precise 3D modeling, the developers achieved a smooth handover between the two stages. Alpha took its first steps with only 3.2 million seconds of real-world experience and can withstand thrusts of up to 350 Newtons without losing stability.
In addition to walking, it can run, crouch, twist in place, jump and manipulate objects. Its 29-degree-of-freedom configuration enables mobility comparable to that of a human, and it features a modular architecture that includes interchangeable hands and haptic sensors distributed throughout the body.
A bipedal robot designed for real life
With a height of 1.79 meters and a bi-manual payload of 15 kg, Alpha is designed to operate in industrial, logistic and domestic environments. From assembly line support to assisting people with reduced mobility, the robot is adaptable to multiple applications.
Its “brain” integrates Nvidia’s Jetson Orin AGX and Intel i9 processors, and uses the KinetIQ platform for advanced reasoning through language and action models (VLM and VLA). (VLM and VLA). This allows it to interact with humans through RGB cameras, depth sensors, microphones and a viewfinder with visual feedback.
Modularity and low cost of ownership
The robot’s modular design allows for easy replacement or upgrade of both the upper body and end effectors. This, coupled with its fast AI training and high efficiency, makes the HMND 01 Alpha a platform with a low total cost of ownership, intended to scale commercially in a sustainable manner.
Alpha has already been presented at international trade shows such as CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where it was welcomed as a concrete example of the advancement in humanoid robotics with practical applications. Humanoid thus continues the evolution of its Alpha series, which began with its wheeled version and now bets on bipedal locomotion as a new standard of versatility and technological adaptability.
Source and photo: Humanoid