Booster Robotics Launches T1 Gripper Humanoid for Research Manipulation

Humanoid Research Milestone

Humanoid robots struggle with combining stable bipedal locomotion and precise object handling in real-world settings. Booster Robotics has introduced the T1 Gripper Humanoid, a 31-degree-of-freedom platform adding integrated grippers to its T1 base for enhanced manipulation. This developer-focused model, equipped with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin compute and ROS2 support, targets robotics research and education, as detailed across multiple product listings and demos.

Manipulation Edge

The T1 Gripper stands out with full-body coordination for omnidirectional walking and gripper-based grasping, real-time imitation fidelity via its high-performance processor, and teleoperation through a mobile app. Its open-source SDK and simulation compatibility enable rapid prototyping for embodied AI. Additionally, dual-encoder joints provide force-controlled precision, differentiating it in dynamic environments. T1 Gripper redefines humanoid development by prioritizing accessible gripper integration over basic locomotion.

Motion Control Flow

Human motions captured via RGBD camera and microphone array feed into the NVIDIA AGX Orin for AI processing, generating joint commands with balance corrections. The system then actuates full-force-controlled joints using mixed torque, velocity, and position modes for stable execution. This input-to-output pipeline supports tasks like object sorting while adapting to terrain.

Assembly Line Role

In precision assembly, the T1 Gripper navigates human-centric factories using visual SLAM for omnidirectional movement on uneven floors, grasping and placing components with its 1-DoF grippers. Dual-encoder feedback ensures safe interaction around workers, enabling remote teleoperation for inspection and sorting. This setup addresses labor shortages in tight spaces where larger robots falter.

Capability Enablers

At 118 × 47 × 23 cm and 30 kg, the T1 Gripper's compact form aids single-person handling for lab deployment, while its 3.5 km/h speed (0.97 m/s) enables agile forward and sideways motion exceeding 0.5 m/s. Sensors like the RGBD camera, 9-axis IMU, and 6-microphone array drive terrain adaptation and voice interaction, with full-force joints adding collision-safe manipulation. Battery sustains over 1 hour of motion, supporting extended research sessions.

Rivals Edge Check

Teleop Shift Ahead

This release underscores a broader industry pivot from rigid pre-programmed humanoids to teleoperation-first designs, enabling natural human-robot interaction in unstructured spaces. Booster's focus on grippers and open tools accelerates adoption in assisted services, foreshadowing hybrid autonomy in human-centric deployments.