Italian researchers have created the world's first flying humanoid robot with jet engines

Experts from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have created an innovative humanoid robot iRonCub3 — the first in the world capable of taking off using jet engines and maintaining stability in the air. During testing, the device rose about 50 centimeters. Interesting Engineering writes about this.

iRonCub3 is an updated version of the previous third-generation iCub robot. It has four jet engines: two in its arms and two in a backpack on its back. They allow it to hover in the air. The robot weighs 70 kg and develops a thrust of over 1000 newtons. Due to the exhaust temperature of up to 800°C, it was equipped with a special titanium body with a heat-protective coating.

A key challenge for engineers was flight stability, because unlike drones, the robot has movable limbs and an elongated body, which affects aerodynamics. To ensure balance, the IIT team developed new flight control algorithms and AI models that use neural networks trained on simulations and real-world data. The work involved the Polytechnic University of Milan and Stanford.

The iRonCub3 was designed using a collaborative design approach, where the body shape and engine placement were optimized simultaneously. This allowed for high precision in flight conditions and high temperatures. Initial tests were conducted in the IIT laboratory, followed by tests at Genoa airport.

In the future, such robots can be used in rescue operations, research in hazardous environments or natural disaster zones, where a combination of flight and the ability to interact with objects is required. According to the developers, iRonCub3 is a step into the future of multimodal robotics, where machines will be able to not only walk, but also fly.