IHMC Robotics
About
About IHMC Robotics
IHMC Robotics is the robotics research programme of the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. Its engineers and researchers develop legged robots, exoskeletons and human-machine teaming systems, combining physical hardware with control software for movement in demanding environments. The humanoid programme currently centres on Alex, an electrically actuated platform with onboard computation, perception and power.
Alex builds on the earlier Nadia robot, which combined hydraulic and electric actuation to investigate human-scale mobility and range of motion. IHMC uses these systems to study autonomous and semi-autonomous behaviour, including movement through structures and unstructured surroundings. Its work targets robots that can act as human teammates and extend a person's presence in hazardous settings. Research support includes the Office of Naval Research, Army Research Laboratory and Army Data Analysis Center.
Products
Observed use
- Nadia with SAKE Robotics EZGripper
2023-06-20 - Research Experiment - Mounted - Nadia used a SAKE Robotics EZGripper during a supervised can pick-and-place experiment on 20 June 2023.
Source - Alex with Ability Hand
Research Experiment - Mounted - IHMC Alex used PSYONIC Ability Hands in the thesis's physical loco-manipulation experiments.
Source
Team
- Robert Griffin - Senior Research Scientist; Humanoid and Legged Robotics Team Lead - Leads IHMC’s humanoid and legged robotics programme and the Alex development project, bringing together platform design, control, perception and autonomous behaviour.
Timeline
Events
- 2026-05-27 - Demonstration - IHMC completes Alex's first off-site, untethered demonstration
The robot traversed rocky gravel, slick surfaces and uneven pavement during the demonstration. The programme is backed by a multi-year, multimillion-dollar Office of Naval Research contract for outdoor and urban robotic operations. Development builds on Nadia's mechanical design and control software, with building entry and hazardous-area assessment among the longer-term goals.
Source - 2025-11-19 - Product Launch - IHMC introduces Alex humanoid for testing beyond the laboratory
The Office of Naval Research funds the multi-year, multimillion-dollar project led by senior research scientist Robert Griffin. Custom high-power actuators target a battery-equipped weight of about 85 kg, compared with roughly 100 kg for predecessor Nadia. The research programme includes outdoor controllers, building-exploration behaviours, behaviour cloning and improved simulation.
Source - 2022-10-05 - Demonstration - IHMC releases Nadia humanoid progress demonstration
The design combines joints intended to approach human ranges of motion in the hips and knees with a carbon-fibre exoskeleton. The Office of Naval Research awarded IHMC $3 million in summer 2022 to continue Nadia's development. The project targets mobility and manipulation around stairs, ladders and debris for potential hazardous-environment work.
Source
Context
Comparable profiles
- X-Humanoid
comparable profile - Humanoid Research Institute
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comparable profile - Humanoid Research Institute
Context tags
- Humanoid research institute - Peer Group - https://robots.ihmc.us/humanoid-design — IHMC robotics programme develops Alex and legacy Nadia humanoid platforms, with hardware/control research for mobility and autonomous or…