Do humanoids dream of becoming human?
Humanoid robots are being developed with capabilities that diverge from human-like movements, such as swapping their own batteries and walking on reverse-jointed legs. Researchers at KAIST's Hubo Lab are exploring alternative designs that prioritize functionality over mimicking human movement.
Humanoid robots are being developed with unique capabilities that stray from human-like movements. At CES 2026, Boston Dynamics' Atlas demonstrated advanced wrist and torso movements. Researchers at KAIST's Hubo Lab, led by Prof. Park Hae-won, are building robots that prioritize functionality over human-like design. A humanoid robot developed by the lab can sprint at 12.6 kilometers per hour. Prof. Park's team is exploring alternative designs, such as quadruped robots that walk up vertical walls and one-legged hoppers that perform somersaults. The researchers argue that mimicking nature is not always the best approach, instead using it as a reference point for ideas.
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