New partnership to offer smart robots for dangerous environments

ADLINK Technology and Under Control Robotics Forge Alliance to Build Next-Gen Industrial Robots

ADLINK Technology has announced a strategic partnership with Under Control Robotics, the parent company of Noble Machines, to co-develop advanced general-purpose robots for industrial applications. This collaboration aims to merge ADLINK’s robust edge AI hardware with Noble Machines’ cutting-edge autonomy software, creating robotic systems capable of operating in harsh environments where human labor is at risk or in short supply.

The partnership focuses on developing bipedal, bimanual robots—essentially humanoid machines—that can perform complex tasks in manufacturing plants, mines, construction sites, energy facilities, petrochemical plants, and public utilities. These industries face ongoing challenges including labor shortages, hazardous working conditions, and tasks that require human-like dexterity and decision-making abilities.

At the core of this collaboration is the integration of ADLINK’s DLAP (Deep Learning Acceleration Platform) edge AI platform with Noble Machines’ sophisticated autonomy and whole-body control software. The DLAP platform is built on NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor architecture, which provides the computational power necessary for real-time perception, reasoning, and motion control. According to the companies, the DLAP platform offers multiple voltage feeds, high-bandwidth sensor interfaces, and can support up to eight GMSL camera connections, four Ethernet ports, and integrated 5G or Wi-Fi modules.

The hardware is engineered to withstand extreme industrial conditions, operating across wide temperature ranges and meeting IEC 60068 standards for shock and vibration resistance. This durability is crucial for deployment in environments where dust, heat, heavy loads, and constant vibration would quickly disable conventional computing systems.

Noble Machines’ autonomy software brings advanced perception and reasoning capabilities to the hardware platform. The software manages coordinated whole-body motion, allowing robots to navigate complex environments, manipulate objects with human-like precision, and make real-time decisions when faced with unexpected situations. This level of sophistication is essential for tasks that require on-the-spot judgment, mobility, and manual dexterity—capabilities that have historically been difficult to automate in industrial settings.

Ethan Chen, General Manager of ADLINK’s Edge Computing Platforms business unit, emphasized that this agreement represents an expansion of the company’s edge computing hardware into emerging general-purpose robotic systems. The partnership moves beyond simply supporting existing DLAP platforms to developing a jointly-engineered computing platform specifically optimized for humanoid robotics applications.

Wei Ding, CEO of Under Control Robotics, highlighted how ADLINK’s industrial hardware expertise complements Noble Machines’ software capabilities, particularly in whole-body control systems. The collaboration addresses critical challenges in industrial robot deployment, including hardware durability and supply chain integration issues that have historically limited the adoption of advanced robotics in demanding environments.

The initial focus will be on construction and energy industries, where workers routinely face dangerous conditions including extreme temperatures, heavy equipment operation, and exposure to hazardous materials. These sectors represent ideal testing grounds for humanoid robots, as they require machines that can navigate uneven terrain, manipulate tools and materials, and adapt to changing work conditions without requiring extensive infrastructure modifications.

By combining their respective specializations, ADLINK and Under Control Robotics aim to deliver a turnkey solution that reduces the risk for customers considering experimental robotics deployments. The emphasis on real-time reactions and decision-making means the AI systems must provide the kind of instantaneous judgment that human workers currently offer in difficult conditions. Traditional software approaches would require extensive hard-coding of every possible scenario, making them impractical for dynamic industrial environments.

The success of this partnership will ultimately depend on whether these expensive robotic systems can reliably handle unforeseen situations without compromising safety, damaging equipment, or disrupting existing workflows. The ability to operate safely alongside human workers while maintaining productivity in unpredictable conditions represents the true test of this technology’s viability.

This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for industrial automation, as companies worldwide grapple with workforce shortages and increasing pressure to improve safety while maintaining productivity. If successful, these humanoid robots could transform how dangerous and physically demanding tasks are performed across multiple industries, potentially reducing workplace injuries while addressing labor supply challenges.

The development of general-purpose humanoid robots represents a significant evolution from specialized industrial robots that have dominated manufacturing for decades. Rather than being designed for a single repetitive task, these new systems aim to handle a wide variety of jobs with the flexibility and adaptability of human workers, but without the physical limitations and safety risks that humans face in hazardous environments.

As this partnership progresses, the industry will be watching closely to see whether the combination of ADLINK’s hardware expertise and Noble Machines’ software innovation can deliver on the promise of truly autonomous humanoid robots capable of transforming industrial operations. The implications extend beyond just replacing human workers in dangerous jobs—successful deployment could enable entirely new approaches to industrial design and workflow optimization.

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