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RoboThespian

RoboThespian

RoboThespian is a humanoid robot by Engineered Arts with advanced speech and telepresence, ideal for education, entertainment, and interactive public engagement.
Available
United Kingdom
Humanoid
2011
Specifications
Dev Doc
Website
Made by
Engineered Arts Ltd
Software Type
Closed Source
Software Package
Custom core software running on Gentoo and Ubuntu Linux. OpenNI for gesture recognition. Python scripting and API support. TinMan telepresence software for remote control. Motion capture and editing tools integrated with Blender.
Actuators
Uses Festo pneumatic actuators combined with brushed DC motors, delivering smooth, precise, and lifelike movements across 26 degrees of freedom.
Compiute
Onboard computing includes an Intel dual-core CPU, multiple Marvell and Parallax microcontrollers, and an external Intel Core i7 control unit for complex motion and AI processing.
Sensors
Equipped with cameras and infrared depth sensors for gesture and pose recognition, enabling responsive interaction and environmental awareness.
Max Op. time
mins
88,000

Robot Brief

RoboThespian by Engineered Arts is a pioneering humanoid robot designed primarily as a robotic actor and interactive public engagement platform. Standing 1.75 meters tall and weighing 33 kg, it features 26 degrees of freedom powered by a combination of Festo pneumatic actuators and brushed DC motors, enabling fluid and expressive body language and facial gestures. Equipped with advanced speech recognition and natural language processing, RoboThespian can communicate in over 30 languages with 90 text-to-speech voice options, making it ideal for educational, entertainment, and customer service applications worldwide. Its modular design and robust software ecosystem-including scripted, teleoperation, and API programming modes-allow for versatile deployment in theaters, museums, exhibitions, and corporate events. The robot supports telepresence via TinMan software, enabling remote real-time control with natural eye contact and micro-expressions, enhancing audience interaction. With over a decade of continuous development, RoboThespian exemplifies the fusion of artistry and robotics, captivating audiences while serving as a platform for AI and human-robot interaction research.

Use Cases

RoboThespian performs as an engaging robotic actor capable of delivering scripted performances, answering audience questions, and interacting through natural language in multiple languages. It can be pre-programmed or remotely controlled to perform lifelike gestures, facial expressions, and speech, making it suitable for education, entertainment, customer service, and public engagement. Its telepresence feature allows operators to control it remotely, creating immersive interactive experiences.

Industries

  • Entertainment: Performs robotic acting and interactive shows in theaters and events.
  • Education: Engages students with interactive demonstrations and language learning.
  • Museums & Exhibitions: Acts as an informative guide and interactive exhibit.
  • Corporate Events: Provides engaging presentations and customer interaction.
  • Research & Development: Serves as a platform for AI, robotics, and human-robot interaction studies.

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Specifications

Length
300
mm
Width
410
mm
Height (ResT)
mm
Height (Stand)
1750
mm
Height (Min)
mm
Height (Max)
1750
mm
Weight (With Batt.)
kg
Weight (NO Batt.)
33
kg
Max Step Height
mm
Max Slope
+/-
°
Op. Temp (min)
°C
Op. Temp (Max)
°C
Ingress Rating
No items found.

Intro

RoboThespian stands 175 cm tall and weighs 33 kg, constructed from aluminum alloy and plastics. It features 26 degrees of freedom powered by pneumatic actuators and brushed DC motors, allowing smooth, expressive movements. The robot includes cameras and infrared depth sensors for gesture and pose recognition. Its onboard computing comprises an Intel dual-core CPU, multiple microcontrollers, and an external Intel Core i7 control unit. The robot operates on Gentoo and Ubuntu Linux with custom software, supporting scripted sequences, teleoperation, and API programming. RoboThespian’s modular design facilitates upgrades and customization, while its interface includes a 19-inch touchscreen console for easy control.

Connectivity

  • WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
  • Ethernet port
  • USB ports for peripherals
  • 24 V DC power supply and compressed air connection
  • Cloud connectivity for remote maintenance and updates.

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Capabilities

  • Expressive body language and facial gestures with 26 DoF
  • Speech synthesis supporting over 30 languages and 90 voices
  • Gesture and pose recognition via cameras and infrared sensors
  • Scripted and real-time teleoperation modes for dynamic performances
  • Telepresence control with TinMan software enabling remote operation
  • Integration with Python scripts and API for custom programming
  • Robust interaction for education, entertainment, and customer service.

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