Fourier’s N1 humanoid robot performs a cartwheel and 360 jump in a new demo, showing agility and control in a compact, open-source platform.
Shanghai-based robotics firm Fourier unveiled a striking demonstration of its N1 humanoid robot , showcasing gymnastic abilities highlighting its dynamic control and hardware strength.The company released a 30-second clip featuring the N1 performing a cartwheel and a 360-degree jump.
The video opens with the caption “N1 kung fu show” before the robot executes a sequence of movements that underline its balance, coordination, and actuator power. The cartwheel is performed without fingers, relying solely on the robot’s limbs and body control to complete the maneuver.A new direction in humanoid roboticsFounded in Shanghai in 2015, Fourier built its reputation in rehabilitation robotics. Over the years, the company has expanded into general-purpose humanoids, introducing the GR series: GR-1, GR-2, and GR-3. These full-size robots stand around human height, with the GR-1 weighing approximately 55 kilograms and offering 44 degrees of freedom. Later iterations brought refinements in dexterity, interactivity, and user-friendliness, with the GR-3 leaning toward companionship and sensory engagement.The N1, also referred to as Nexus-01, represents a different philosophy. Instead of pursuing the scale and power of the GR line, Fourier designed this model to be smaller, lighter, and more accessible to developers and researchers. At about 1.3 meters tall and weighing roughly 38 kilograms, the N1 is constructed from a lightweight aluminum alloy and engineering plastics. Its operating time exceeds two hours on a single charge, and it can reach speeds of up to 3.5 meters per second.Crucially, Fourier has positioned the N1 as an open-source platform. The company makes blueprints, software, control systems, and even hardware bills of materials available, encouraging universities, laboratories, and hobbyists to use the robot as a testbed for new ideas. Different configurations, from self-assembly kits to ready-built platforms, are planned under what Fourier calls the “Nexus Open-Source Ecological Matrix.”Significance of the cartwheel demonstrationThe cartwheel and jump shown in the latest video provide a glimpse into the N1’s engineering. For a humanoid, such dynamic moves are far from trivial. Executing a cartwheel requires strong and responsive actuators, joints capable of withstanding sudden loads, and motion-planning algorithms precise enough to keep the body balanced during rapid weight shifts. The N1 achieved this without using fingers, suggesting reliance on its arms and core strength for support and stability.The 360-degree jump further highlights the responsiveness of its control systems. To rotate and land without falling, the robot must combine real-time sensing with fast feedback loops, likely drawing on internal measurement units and other sensors. While these stunts do not necessarily reflect readiness for industrial deployment, they demonstrate that the N1 can absorb impact, maintain balance, and recover quickly after dynamic maneuvers.Such feats also serve a marketing purpose, placing Fourier alongside rivals like Unitree, which has made headlines with its H1, G1, and the recently announced $6,000 R1 capable of acrobatic moves, as well as Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, which pioneered backflips and parkour routines. The N1’s “kung fu show” suggests Fourier intends to highlight its technical progress and its role as a serious competitor in the humanoid robotics field.An open-source test platformBeyond the spectacle, the N1 aims to broaden access to advanced humanoid robotics. By lowering costs and opening its design, Fourier is positioning the N1 as a modular, developer-friendly platform rather than a closed, high-end product. Its size, weight, and runtime make it suitable for experimentation, while its ability to perform dynamic maneuvers signals durability and potential for more advanced research applications. The cartwheel video offers a clear message.
Bipedal Robot Cartwheel Chinese Fourier Fourier N1 Humanoid Humanoid Robot Inventions And Machines Open-Source Robot
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