HRP-4
The HRP-4 is a lightweight, slim humanoid robotics platform developed for advanced research in human-robot collaboration and bipedal locomotion. Standing at 151 cm tall and weighing just 39 kg, it features 34 degrees of freedom, including 7 DOF per arm for precise object manipulation and 6 DOF per leg for stable walking. Equipped with low-power motors under 80W for enhanced safety around humans, it performs natural movements like waist twisting, one-footed balance, and dexterous five-fingered hand grasping. Cameras and microphones enable face recognition, object tracking, and voice command response. Designed as a successor to HRP-2 and HRP-3, HRP-4 supports indoor navigation in human environments, with flexible joints for athletic poses and tasks. Its compact, human-proportioned body facilitates safer interaction, object handling up to 0.5 kg per arm, and motion control software from AIST, accelerating humanoid R&D for practical applications like assistive work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. What is HRP-4, and what problem is it designed to solve?
HRP-4 is a humanoid robot developed by Kawada Industries in collaboration with AIST as a research and development platform for working humanoid robots. It addresses challenges in creating robots that safely coexist and interact with humans in shared environments.
Q2. What are the main capabilities and key features of HRP-4?
HRP-4 features a lightweight, compact design with enhanced arm mobility for object handling and low-power motors for safety during human collaboration. According to developers, it supports natural movements and interactive technologies research.
Q3. Who is HRP-4 built for, and which industries can benefit from it?
HRP-4 targets universities and research institutions focused on humanoid robotics. It benefits fields like robotics R&D, human-robot interaction, and technologies for future industrial applications.
Q4. Is HRP-4 a commercial product or still a research prototype?
HRP-4 serves as a research and development platform rather than a consumer product. Kawada Industries manufactured it for supply to academic and research entities starting in 2011.
Q5. Is HRP-4 currently available for purchase, and when is it expected to ship?
As of 2026, HRP-4 is not listed for general purchase, having been supplied to research institutions since January 2011. Availability follows orders through Kawada Industries for qualified buyers.
Q6. How does HRP-4 actually work in real-world environments?
HRP-4 operates via hardware from Kawada Industries and motion control software from AIST, enabling bipedal walking and object manipulation. Its design emphasizes safe human coexistence through lighter build and low-power actuators.
Q7. When was HRP-4 announced or officially launched?
HRP-4 was unveiled in September 2010 through a joint project between Kawada Industries and AIST. Production and orders began in January 2011 for research users.
Q8. How is HRP-4 different from other robots in the same category?
Compared to prior HRP series models, HRP-4 is lighter, slimmer, and more compact, with increased arm degrees of freedom and low-power motors. These changes improve safety and suitability for human interaction research.
Q9. Does HRP-4 require additional development or customization after purchase?
HRP-4 is provided as a platform intended for research customization. Users typically integrate additional software and adaptations for specific humanoid robotics experiments.
Q10. What is the future roadmap or planned upgrades for HRP-4?
Kawada Robotics has continued humanoid platform development beyond HRP-4, including models like NEXTAGE OPEN. The company aims to advance research toward practical working robots coexisting with humans.
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