Introduction
A humanoid robot is a robot with its overall appearance based on that of the
human body allowing interaction with made-for-human tools or environments.
In general humanoid robots have a torso with a head, two arms and two legs,
although some forms of humanoid robots may model only part of the body, for example,
from the waist up. Some humanoid robots may also have a 'face', with 'eyes' and 'mouth'.
Androids are humanoid robots built to aesthetically resemble a human.
Like other mechanical robots, humanoid refers to the following basic components too: Sensing,
Actuating and Planning and Control. Since they try to simulate the human structure and
behaviour and they are autonomous systems, most of the times humanoid robots are more
complex than other kinds of robots.
Researchers need to understand the human body structure and behaviour (biomechanics) to
build and study humanoid robots. On the other side, the attempt to simulate the human body
leads to a better understanding of it.
Besides the research, humanoid robots are being developed to perform human tasks like personal
assistance, where they should be able to assist the sick and elderly, and dangerous jobs like
in Defense sector, Nuclear power plants etc. Regular jobs like being a receptionist or a worker
of an automotive manufacturing line are also suitable for humanoids. In essence, since they
can use tools and operate equipment and vehicles designed for the human form, humanoids could
theoretically perform any task a human being can, so long as they have the proper software.
However, the complexity of doing so is deceptively great.
AcYut-"the one who never falls" or "the Imperishable" in Sanskrit- is the name of the series
of humanoids being developed at the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems by a team of
undergraduates under the guidance of Dr. R.K. Mittal at the Birla Institute of Technology and
Science-Pilani (India) . Team AcYut strives to make our humanoid stronger,
faster and more intelligent through application of latest available equipments and cutting edge
technologies. The team comprises of some of the best brains in the entire country who are
inducted into the Team AcYut after a series of grueling tests which ensure that only a select
few with the highest aptitude work on this prestigious project.
