Pemba, the humanoid robot that conquered the Andes and now aims for Everest

High mountain robotics have taken a colossal leap. In a historic expedition that challenges the limits of engineering and physics, the humanoid robot Pemba has successfully reached the summit of the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador, reaching a record altitude of 6,263 meters above sea level.

This milestone, led by the Spanish engineer Pablo Berlanga and the scientific organization Geologic Dome, is part of the ambitious "Triple Crown" project, which seeks to demonstrate the viability of humanoid technology for environmental conservation tasks, mountain rescue and climate change monitoring.

Adapting a Unitree G1 to hostile conditions

The Pemba robot is developed on the commercial basis of the Unitree G1 model, but has received profound technical modifications to survive the rigors of high mountains:

• Thermal Insulation: Special coatings to protect servomotors and batteries from sub-zero temperatures that would usually freeze traditional lubricants.
• Low Pressure: Adjustments to cooling and heat dissipation systems to operate in extremely thin atmospheres.
• Adaptive Navigation: Updated balance algorithms to correct gait on loose ice, steep rocks and unstable terrain.

During the Chimborazo expedition, the robot demonstrated impressive autonomy when walking independently on trails with slopes less than 30 degrees. However, on sections of extreme technical climbing, he still required the assistance and physical transportation of his human support team.

Everest and the regulatory vacuum in Nepal

After the Andean success, the next big objective for Pemba is the mythical Mount Everest. However, the challenge on the roof of the world is not only climatological, but also bureaucratic.

Nepalese authorities are currently evaluating the expedition request due to a regulatory gap. The Nepalese government must design a legal framework to allow autonomous robotic devices on Everest's busy climbing routes, assessing the risks of accidents, the environmental impact and what measures to take in case a machine fails and is stranded more than 8,000 meters in the "Death Zone."

The advancement of projects like Pemba redefines the relationship between humans and machines in the exploration of extreme environments, opening the door to safer rescue operations without putting human lives at risk.