Just when you thought the humanoid robot arms race was becoming a bit of a crowded house, Westwood Robotics has nudged its way to the front of the queue with an update that actually carries some weight. The firm has unveiled its THEMIS Gen2.5, making the bold claim that it’s the world’s first commercial full-size humanoid capable of walking and “doing the business” at the same time—specifically, manipulating objects while remaining on the move.
This isn’t just a clever bit of coding; the hardware has had a proper overhaul. The robot’s chassis has been toughened up, offering 40% better impact resistance (essential for when things go a bit pear-shaped during testing). The arms now boast seven degrees of freedom (7-DoF) with a peak payload of over 5 kg per limb. But the real star of the show—and the reason it won’t break a sweat—is the new Mountain BEAR actuators in the hip joints. These bespoke powerhouses deliver a massive 120% increase in torque while running 80% cooler. In short, THEMIS is far less likely to overheat during a strenuous shift, a trait many of us on a Monday morning would surely envy.
On the digital side, Westwood is debuting its AOS (AI-Augmented Humanoid OS). This “brain transplant” is built on three core pillars: a whole-body loco-manipulation controller for steady movement, a navigation module for a bit of situational awareness, and an interaction module. The latter uses an Object-Centric Vision-Action Model (OC-VAM)—which is essentially tech-speak for “it’s much better at spotting and grabbing things without having to pause for a tea break to figure out the maths.”
Why is this a big deal?
The ability to fiddle with objects while walking—a skill we humans take for granted—is a monumental leap for commercial humanoids. Most robots are currently stuck in a “stop, think, act” loop that’s about as efficient as a replacement bus service in a rural village. By mastering simultaneous movement and manipulation, THEMIS moves away from the polished lab demos and into the gritty reality of the warehouse or factory floor.
This isn’t just a fluke, either. Westwood Robotics is a spin-off from UCLA’s prestigious Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa), the same “blue-blooded” institution that produced the record-breaking ARTEMIS humanoid. That robot, famous for its agility and pace on the football pitch, clearly provided the DNA for THEMIS’s new skills. By commercialising this academic pedigree, Westwood Robotics isn’t just building another robot; they’re forcing the rest of the industry to pick up the pace.
