Caltech and TII Develop X1: A Multi-Robot Rescue Team Combining Humanoids and Drones
Engineers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute (TII) have developed a multi-robot system known as X1, designed for rescue missions in hazardous environments. The X1 system consists of a humanoid robot, a modified Unitree G1, which can walk on two legs and carry heavy equipment, and a morphing robot, M4, that can change shape to meet mission demands. The project, led by Aaron Ames, director of Caltech's Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies, focuses on creating autonomous robots capable of navigating complex terrains without direct human control. During a demonstration, the X1 system successfully navigated through tight spaces and released the M4 robot, which transformed from a drone to a wheeled vehicle, showcasing its versatility in rescue scenarios. 
