Recently, a new competitor emerged in the robotics market to challenge the renowned Optimus Tesla – the humanoid robot Kepler Forerunner. Priced at approximately $30,000, the Forerunner stands out with advanced mobility, precise hand control, and sophisticated visual perception, making it a genuine contender for Optimus.

Bill Gates, reflecting on the growing significance of humanoid robots, envisioned that artificial intelligence could significantly relieve people of their daily work burdens. This vision is becoming tangible in the context of technological advancements in robots like the Kepler Forerunner.

The Chinese company Kepler, the creator of Forerunner, has ambitious plans regarding its role in the future. This robot, set to be showcased at the CES 2024 in Las Vegas, is believed by Kepler engineers to accelerate the advent of a "three-day workweek."

The Forerunner boasts an impressive construction, standing at 178 cm, weighing 85 kg, equipped with hands with 12 degrees of freedom and a total body with 40 degrees of freedom. This design enables the robot to navigate challenging terrains adeptly and overcome various obstacles.

Interestingly, much like Optimus, the Forerunner utilizes a planetary roller screw and a rotary actuator for precise hand control. Its generated force of 8,000 Newtons and peak torque of 200 Nm surpass conventional actuators used in competing robots.

The robot is also equipped with an advanced perception system, including a wide-angle camera, a set of four long-range microphones, an accelerometer, and AHRS (Attitude and Heading Reference System). It communicates with humans through a synthetic voice module and stereophonic speakers. All information from these sensors passes through a specialized AI system called Nebula, making the Forerunner intelligent enough to navigate complex environments.

Kepler encourages programmers worldwide to collaborate in further enhancing humanoid robots. The company believes that humanoid robots will revolutionize productivity and usher in a groundbreaking era in their utilization.

The first units of the Forerunner are expected to reach customers in the third quarter of this year, with a price set at around $30,000 – slightly higher than the anticipated $20,000 for Optimus.