As companies around the world compete to build the most intelligent humanoid robot, researchers in South Korea are tackling a different challenge: enabling these machines to use their own physical strength to perform tasks without losing their balance. A new demonstration released by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) highlights the significant progress being made in this field.

At the center of this is the Humanoid V09, an experimental robot designed to study movements that require the coordination of the entire body. In the footage, the machine is shown pushing heavy objects, lifting loads, and adjusting its posture to maintain stability. According to data provided by the researchers, the humanoid is capable of pushing objects weighing up to 35 kg and lifting loads of up to 20 kg—but the most compelling aspect lies not just in these figures, but in how the robot executes these actions.

Rather than relying on external cameras positioned throughout the environment to track its location, the system utilizes data captured by sensors and cameras integrated into its own body. This allows the machine to perceive its surroundings from its own perspective and adapt its movements to the specific task at hand—a distinction that is fundamentally important. While it is possible to set up external equipment in a laboratory to monitor a robot’s every move, environments like factories or warehouses are constantly changing: objects are moved around, and unexpected obstacles may appear. Consequently, developing robots capable of perceiving their environment and managing their own balance is a crucial step toward enabling them to operate outside of strictly controlled, pre-arranged settings.

Motion control was developed using techniques from reinforcement learning and learning from human demonstrations. Through this process, the system acquires strategies to coordinate its legs, arms, and torso while interacting with objects. For instance, when the humanoid needs to push a heavy block, simply extending its arms and applying force is not enough; it must also position its feet, tilt its body, and distribute its effort to avoid falling over.

Lifting a load adds further complexity: beyond maintaining balance, the robot must support the object's weight against gravity. In the demonstration, it employs these capabilities to move large blocks that spell out "KAIST." The project is a collaboration between the DRCD laboratory—which specializes in robot control and development—and the Ray Lab, which developed the arms used on this platform. This evolution marks a significant shift in humanoid research; until recently, many demonstrations focused on machines walking, running, dancing, or performing impressive feats of movement. Now, the challenge has moved to a new phase: transforming these skills into useful physical labor—a journey that still has a long way to go.

Although the V09 humanoid remains an experimental platform—and while it cannot yet perform any arbitrary task without prior preparation—the demonstration proves it is capable of working for hours in a factory setting. It represents a concrete advancement in integrating visual perception, force application, and full-body coordination. It may well be this specific combination that determines which humanoid robots will successfully transition from the laboratory to practical, real-world roles in the coming years.