Key Takeaways
1. Rainbow Robotics will showcase improvements to the RB-Y1 humanoid robot at the IEEE ICRA 2025 conference, including three remote-control interfaces: master arm, touchpad plus joystick, and VR headset platform.
2. The RB-Y1 features a wheeled base with dual arms that have seven degrees of freedom, allowing for effective manipulation and mobility, with a height-adjustable torso and a maximum speed of 5.6 mph.
3. The new Mecanum Wheel System enhances the robot’s mobility, enabling 360-degree movement and reducing tipping risks during quick direction changes.
4. Expanded control options are provided through a master-arm console, touchpad and joystick, and VR interface, all integrated into a new software-development kit (SDK) for easier system integration.
5. Since its public introduction in March 2024, interest from commercial sectors has grown, with partnerships from major research institutions and increased investment from Samsung Electronics for collaborative applications.
South Korea’s Rainbow Robotics is set to unveil a number of improvements to its RB-Y1 humanoid robot during the IEEE ICRA 2025 conference in Atlanta. Among these enhancements, demonstrations will showcase three remote-control interfaces: a master arm, a combined touchpad plus joystick, and a VR headset platform. Additionally, they will introduce a new omnidirectional “Mecanum Wheel System” and an integrated software-development kit (SDK).
Design and Specs of RB-Y1
The RB-Y1 features a wheeled base paired with dual arms that each have seven degrees of freedom. This design provides the robot with the necessary reach and skill for manipulation tasks while also maintaining the speed and stability typical of ground vehicles. The robot’s torso has a six-axis mechanism that allows it to adjust its height by over 50 centimeters (19.7 inches). This adjustment helps engineers keep the robot’s center of gravity low while it runs—up to speeds of 5.6 mph—or while maneuvering through corners. Each arm can lift a weight of 3 kilograms (6.61 lbs), and the total weight of the robot is 131 kilograms (288 lbs).
Enhanced Mobility with Mecanum Wheels
The new Mecanum Wheel System enhances the robot’s mobility, allowing for true 360-degree movement. Unlike traditional differential steering, the design with angled rollers makes it possible for the robot to move sideways without needing to pivot. This feature is particularly advantageous in busy research laboratories and factory aisles. During the conference, Rainbow Robotics will demonstrate how the wheel module works in conjunction with the robot’s height adjuster to minimize tipping risks when the robot swiftly changes direction.
Expanded Control Options and SDK
Control methods are also being broadened. The master-arm console allows the operator’s arm movements to be mirrored in real-time, while the touchpad and joystick option is designed for users who enjoy game-like controls. The VR interface merges headset tracking with handheld controllers for a more engaged teleoperation experience. All these systems are integrated into the company’s new SDK, which provides APIs for additional features like inertial-measurement units, lidar sensors, and customized grippers. The goal is to reduce the time needed for labs and system integrators that are already using ROS-based tools to integrate these new systems.
Since the public introduction of RB-Y1 in March 2024, interest from commercial sectors has increased significantly. Research institutions including MIT, UC Berkeley, the University of Washington, and Georgia Tech have started utilizing the platform. Additionally, Rainbow Robotics has recently established a subsidiary in Chicago to offer technical support to partners in North America. In January 2025, Samsung Electronics boosted its investment in the company to 35 percent and indicated plans to implement collaborative versions of RB-Y1 in its manufacturing processes and logistics operations.
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