Slate TR1 Humanoid Robot Is a Machine Learning Playground

Those who grew up in the last century watching humanoid robots help (or harm) their human counterparts likely thought that by 2018, they’d certainly be all over. Today, with 2018 now halfway through, these robots — at a cost of between $100,000 and millions of dollars — are extremely rare. Sure, you might see a device patrolling a parking lot, vacuuming your house, or assembling parts with a single appendage, but what about a mobile robot that stands as tall as a human, with two useful arms?

Well now you can have exactly that, as Slate Robotics has announced their TR1 robot, the base model of which is priced a little less than $5,000. The base version includes a single 7-axis arm, capable of working with an up to 1.8Kg, and a second arm can be added on for an additional cost. The TR1 is equipped with an actuated torso for body movement, and instead of legs, the robot moves around on an omni-drive base. This configuration enables it to turn and slide in any direction as needed.

Computing power is provided by an NVIDIA Jetson TX2, and features a vision system as well as two microphones. Best of all, the platform is open and hackable, allowing you to add your own accessories and program behavior as needed.