Why doesn’t pib have legs, and can the robot walk?

The current standard version of pib is intentionally designed as an articulated upper-body humanoid robot (torso, dual arms, dexterous hands, and actuated head) for stationary tabletop or workbench use.

Why we focus on the upper body:

  • Core Robotics Skills: Real-world service robotics prioritizes dexterous manipulation (hands/arms), computer vision (cameras), and human-robot interaction over bipedal walking.
  • Safety & Affordability: A stationary setup prevents dangerous tip-overs in school classrooms and avoids the tens of thousands of euros required for high-torque walking actuators.

What’s currently in development (RoboCup & pib.Pro):

Mobility is actively in the making! For competitive robotics (such as the RoboCup) and advanced applications like pib.Pro, our development team is currently researching wheel-legged locomotion.

Rather than slow, human-like stepping feet, this upcoming platform combines articulated leg joints with motorized wheels and active self-balancing. This approach delivers fast, agile, and energy-efficient navigation while keeping the upper body stable.

(Status: Currently in active research and prototyping—stay tuned to our community channels for updates!)