In a groundbreaking development, Polish startup Clone Robotics has unveiled Protoclone, a synthetic human robot that showcases an astonishingly lifelike range of movements, thanks to its innovative use of synthetic muscles housed beneath its translucent skin.
Captured in a recent video shared online, Protoclone stands tall at six feet, suspended from the ceiling in the company’s secretive workshop.
The footage reveals the robot gracefully twitching its limbs and bowing its head, reminiscent of a puppet animated to life.
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Dubbed “the world’s first bipedal, musculoskeletal android,” Protoclone boasts an intricate internal structure featuring artificial bones, joints, tendons, and muscles that enable it to walk on two legs.
The clips posted on social media platform X quickly went viral, eliciting a variety of responses—ranging from awe to unease.
While some viewers called it “awesome,” others found the faceless design “spooky,” with one commenter humorously suggesting, “Can you just draw a smiley face on the head, please?”
Unlike many existing robots, Protoclone’s body closely resembles that of a human and exhibits a remarkable level of realistic movement.
This prototype is claimed to be “anatomically accurate,” offering over 200 degrees of freedom—essentially, the capacity for 200 distinct movements.
Equipped with 1,000 artificial muscle fibers (myofibers) and 500 sensors, Protoclone is adept at perceiving its environment.
Currently powered by a pneumatic system, the team at Clone Robotics is planning to transition to a hydraulic system that utilizes pistons and fluid for enhanced functionality. To mimic the human circulatory system, Protoclone features a 500-watt electric pump that circulates water, much like a heart pumps blood.
Check out the video below to see Protoclone in action
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