The humanoid robot Pemba conquers the 6,200m-high Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador.
The robot Pemba has just completed a 16-hour climb to the summit of Chimborazo, paving the way for the goal of conquering Everest and supporting nature conservation in remote areas.
Pemba, a specially improved version of the G1 humanoid robot series, has just successfully completed an expedition to the summit of the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador. At an altitude of 6,200 meters, this is a significant milestone demonstrating the robot's ability to operate in harsh environments, far exceeding its usual control zones.
Technology that transcends terrain limitations.
The Pemba project is led by engineer Pablo Berlanga Boemare, founder of Geologic Dome. Based on the fact that approximately 97% of the Earth's surface is inaccessible to wheeled or tracked robots, the team developed Pemba as a flexible mobile platform for conservation and environmental research activities.
During its 16-hour journey, Pemba demonstrated its ability to autonomously navigate terrain with slopes of less than 30 degrees. In steeper or more technically demanding areas, the robot was assisted by the expedition team. To adapt to the low pressure and freezing temperatures at the volcano's summit, engineers integrated a custom thermal management system and ventilation components directly into the robot's suit.
The Unitree G1 platform boasts impressive technical specifications.
At its core, Pemba is based on the G1 robot model launched in May 2024, with a design optimized for flexibility and mechanical strength:
| Technical specifications | Detailed specifications |
|---|---|
| Height / Weight | 127 cm / 35 kg |
| Number of matching motors | 23 to 43 engines (depending on configuration) |
| Maximum torque | 120 Nm |
| Sensor system | 3D LiDAR, RealSense depth camera |
| Battery and runtime | 9,000 mAh (maximum operating time of 2 hours) |
| Speed of movement | 7.2 km/h |
A vision to conquer Everest and support conservation.
The robot operates based on the UnifoLM AI model developed by Unitree, combined with a reinforcement learning system to control its movement. In the future, Pemba will be upgraded to provide solar power and connect directly to the Starlink satellite network to patrol remote areas, monitor illegal logging and poaching.
The long-term goal of the project is to send robots to the Himalayas. Geologic Dome plans to test the robots at Everest Base Camp and Camp IV at an altitude of nearly 8,000 meters. There, the robots will perform tasks such as collecting waste, monitoring glaciers, and assisting in search and rescue operations, helping to minimize risks to humans in the world's most dangerous environments.
