Scientists at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have achieved something remarkable — they’ve successfully flown a humanoid robot using jet engines and artificial intelligence.
The robot, named iRonCub3, is the first of its kind designed to fly using small jet turbines while maintaining a human-like body and balance.
This breakthrough didn’t happen overnight. It took two years of research, testing, and redesigns to get iRonCub3 off the ground.
In its latest test, the robot managed to lift itself about 50 centimeters into the air and hover steadily.
This might sound like a small step, but it’s a major leap for robotics, especially considering the challenges of making a human-shaped robot fly in a controlled and stable way.
iRonCub3 is based on a previous robot called iCub3. But this new version includes four jet engines — two mounted on its arms and two more on a backpack-like structure.
To handle the heat and power of the engines, the robot had to be redesigned with a titanium spine and heat-resistant covers.
Weighing around 70 kilograms, the robot can generate more than enough thrust to lift itself, even in windy or unpredictable conditions.
What makes this robot truly special is the combination of high-tech design, artificial intelligence, and advanced control systems.
Unlike drones, which are symmetrical and compact, iRonCub3 has moving limbs and an uneven shape, making flight control far more complex. Every movement of its arms or legs changes how the air flows around it, so the robot needs to adjust its balance constantly.
To manage all this, the research team worked with experts from the Polytechnic of Milan and Stanford University. They used wind tunnel testing, computer simulations, and AI-based models to understand how the robot’s body interacts with the air. These models are powered by neural networks that help the robot adjust its flight in real time, even in turbulent air or during engine changes.
The researchers also had to consider heat — the engines can reach temperatures of 800°C. Special design features were added to keep the robot safe and stable under such extreme conditions.
The development of iRonCub3 is part of a larger goal to create robots that can move both on the ground and in the air. These flying humanoids could one day help with search-and-rescue missions, explore dangerous areas, or carry out inspections in places too risky for humans.
For now, test flights have been limited to IIT’s own facility, but soon, more advanced testing will begin at Genoa Airport in a dedicated safety zone. This project marks a big step forward in robotics, showing that combining jet propulsion and AI can give robots the ability to fly like never before.
