THEMIS V2

THEMIS V2, developed by Westwood Robotics—a company founded in 2018 by researchers from UCLA's RoMeLa lab—represents a significant advancement in full-sized humanoid robotics. Standing at 160 cm (5'3") tall and weighing approximately 32-36 kg, this lightweight yet powerful robot features 40 degrees of freedom (DoF), enabling human-like agility and dexterity. Its architecture is built around proprietary BEAR (Back-drivable Electromechanical Actuators for Robotics) actuators, which are compliant, torque-sensing, and in some models liquid-cooled, providing exceptional dynamic performance, live compliance for safe human interaction, and high torque density (up to 450 Nm peak in larger Kodiak variants used in legs). These actuators allow THEMIS V2 to achieve speeds up to 10 km/h, perform parkour-like maneuvers, and handle uneven terrain with sensor-driven balance via IMUs and a 3DM-CV7-AHRS sensor updating 1000 times per second. The robot's manipulation capabilities are highlighted by enhanced 6 DoF arms and advanced 7 DoF end-effectors (hands), supporting payloads of 10-15 kg for tasks like picking, placing, and two-handed operations. Perception is powered by a body-mounted stereo vision system for depth-aware environmental understanding, complemented by tactile sensors for force feedback. Compute is distributed across head and body units, delivering up to 200 TOPS of AI processing via an AMD Ryzen 7840HS control unit or equivalent, enabling real-time perception, motion planning, and autonomy without cloud reliance. The software stack runs on Humanoid OS, an AI-augmented platform built on ROS 2, integrating vision-language models (VLMs) for semantic reasoning, large language models (LLMs) for natural interaction via speech-to-speech, and pseudo-code or AI-assisted teleoperation for easy programming. Architecturally, THEMIS V2 emphasizes modularity with hot-swappable batteries (e.g., 2x 288Wh packs offering 120+ minutes runtime), force-limited joints for safety, and an open developer ecosystem including GitHub repos for drivers like PyBEAR. Thermal management leverages liquid cooling in key actuators, while structural materials prioritize lightweight composites for a 32-36 kg frame. Launched in early 2025 (announced March 29 via LinkedIn), THEMIS V2 builds on predecessors like ARTEMIS (shown at ICRA 2024 and RoboCup 2023), targeting logistics (palletizing, sorting), services (inspection, assistive roles), and research. While specific commercial deployments are nascent—primarily pilots in industrial settings and academic labs—no large-scale history exists yet, positioning it as a scalable platform for human-robot collaboration. Priced around $69,890, it stands out for its balance of power, intelligence, and safety, heralding collaborative robotics' future.