Kaleido is a research platform that has gone through eight prototype generations since 2015. The figures below combine the iREX 2017 public unveil with the 2019 onboard-battery configuration; design details have continued to evolve.
Physical
Height
175 cm (iREX 2017) → 178 cm (2019 onward)
Weight
~85 kg
Locomotion
Bipedal walking, with real-time footstep adjustment from 2023
Payload Approach
Designed to lift loads heavier than the robot's own weight, requiring extreme weight discipline
Structure & Materials
Structural Components
Magnesium alloy — lighter than aluminium
Exterior Panels
3D-printed resin parts (replacing earlier metal-frame panels), produced in-house for fast iteration
Joint Mechanism
Initial knee mechanisms vulnerable to torsion in early prototypes; rigidity progressively improved across generations
Power & Control
Power Source
External tethered supply (up to gen 3) → onboard battery (2019 onward)
Industrial-controller cycle proved too slow for humanoid applications, driving the move to a dedicated humanoid controller
Sensing
Force/Torque Sensors
Custom 6-axis force/torque sensors designed in-house, optimised for shock resistance and low weight (commercial sensors were accurate but too heavy and shock-vulnerable for stomps and jumps)
Proprioception
Joint encoders across the kinematic chain
Walking Control
Stand-up & Pull-ups
Demonstrated at iREX 2017
Untethered Bipedal Walking
Demonstrated 2019 with onboard battery
Real-time Footstep Adjustment
Added 2023 — landing position is corrected when balance is disturbed, sharply reducing fall risk
Fall Tolerance
Controlled break-fall motions tested repeatedly to harden the platform against damage
Friends — sister humanoid
Programme
Friends, introduced 2021 — slimmer, approachable humanoid for tight indoor spaces and caregiving / daily-life assistance contexts
Interaction
Display-based "eyes" for emotive expression; AI-driven conversational and gesture interaction (collaboration with Osaka University's Nagai Lab)
Public Demo
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation — Q&A with children using AI-generated speech and synchronised gestures
Please note: Specifications change across generations. Data shown is drawn from publicly available material published by Kawasaki Robotics and reflects the platform as documented through 2026. Always check the manufacturer's official site for current generation details.
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