In context
In early 2023, humanoid robots were emerging from research labs into commercial pilots, with a focus on safe operation alongside humans. Simulation was becoming critical to compress development cycles and ensure safety in unstructured environments.
What was reported
Halodi Robotics, a Norwegian developer of humanoid robots, adopted Ansys simulation software through the Ansys Startup Program to design electric motors for its robots. The company aimed to create machines that could work among people in everyday settings, such as patrolling buildings, stocking shelves, and handling hospital logistics.
Engineers used Ansys Motor-CAD to develop lightweight, low-speed, high-torque motors that mimic biological muscles, using synthetic fiber threads connected to actuators. The design needed to lift heavy packages while being gentle enough to hand a laptop to a human colleague.
In a pilot at Sunnaas Hospital in Norway, the robot EVE assisted healthcare staff with logistical tasks, potentially freeing up about 200 hours of nurses' time per period for patient care. Halodi reported that simulation reduced development time for its second-generation motors by months.
Why it mattered
This case highlighted how simulation tools enable the safe deployment of humanoid robots outside factory cages, addressing labor shortages while ensuring human-robot interaction safety—a key step toward broader adoption in logistics and healthcare.
“Safety must come first when designing a humanoid robot that will interact with and work among people.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-01-10 · “Halodi Robotics uses Ansys to simulate humanoid robots”