Nao
Programmable humanoid robot for education and research
$7,990 – $16,000
Nao is a 58cm tall autonomous humanoid robot designed by SoftBank Robotics (formerly Aldebaran Robotics) for education, research, and human-robot interaction studies. With 25 degrees of freedom, multiple sensors, and an open SDK, Nao serves as a versatile platform for STEM education, autism therapy, and academic research. The robot is used in thousands of institutions worldwide, offering voice recognition, autonomous movement, and interactive programming capabilities.
Released: 2006
Overview
Nao is a programmable humanoid robot that has become one of the most widely used educational robots globally since its introduction in 2006. Standing 58 centimeters tall and weighing 5.4 kilograms, Nao combines sophisticated robotics with an accessible programming interface, making it ideal for students, researchers, and developers exploring human-robot interaction, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems.
Developed by SoftBank Robotics (formerly Aldebaran Robotics), Nao features 25 degrees of freedom enabling natural human-like movements including walking, grasping objects, and expressive gestures. The robot's sensor suite includes two HD cameras, four directional microphones, sonar rangefinders, tactile sensors, and an inertial measurement unit, allowing it to perceive and interact with its environment autonomously.
Nao's open and customizable platform supports multiple programming languages including Python, C++, and Java, with a graphical programming interface (Choregraphe) for beginners. With over 10,000 units deployed in more than 70 countries, Nao has established itself as the standard platform for robotics education and a proven tool in autism therapy programs, demonstrating consistent positive outcomes in supporting children with autism spectrum disorders.
Key Features
- 25 Degrees of Freedom: Articulated joints in head, arms, legs, and hands enable fluid, human-like movements and gestures
- Multi-Sensor Array: Dual HD cameras, four microphones, sonar, tactile sensors, and inertial board for environmental awareness
- Voice Recognition and Synthesis: Multi-language speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities in 20+ languages
- Autonomous Navigation: Obstacle detection and avoidance with autonomous movement capabilities
- Open SDK Platform: Support for Python, C++, Java with Choregraphe graphical programming environment
- WiFi and Ethernet Connectivity: Wireless and wired network communication for remote programming and control
- Interactive Behaviors: Pre-programmed behaviors and emotions with customizable interaction capabilities
Applications
Nao is extensively used in educational institutions worldwide, from elementary schools to universities, teaching programming, robotics, mathematics, and computer science through hands-on interaction. The robot serves as an engaging platform for STEM education, enabling students to learn coding concepts, sensor integration, and AI algorithms while working with a physical humanoid platform. Research institutions utilize Nao for studies in human-robot interaction, machine learning, computer vision, and social robotics.
In healthcare and therapeutic settings, Nao has demonstrated significant success in autism therapy programs, helping children develop social skills, communication abilities, and emotional recognition through structured interaction. The robot is also deployed in elderly care facilities for companionship and cognitive stimulation, as well as in retail and hospitality environments for customer engagement and information services. Academic competitions like RoboCup use Nao as the standard platform for robot soccer leagues, advancing research in multi-agent systems and autonomous decision-making.
Technical Highlights
Nao's sophisticated motion control system utilizes 25 degrees of freedom distributed across its body, with electric motors and harmonic drives providing precise movement control. The robot's balance and stability are maintained through an advanced inertial measurement unit and foot pressure sensors, enabling bipedal walking on various surfaces and recovery from minor disturbances. The dual-camera vision system supports object recognition, face detection, and visual localization for autonomous navigation.
The robot's processing power comes from an Intel Atom CPU running NAOqi OS (based on Linux), managing real-time sensor fusion, behavior execution, and network communication simultaneously. Nao's software architecture supports ROS integration, allowing researchers to leverage the extensive Robot Operating System ecosystem. The built-in sound localization system using four directional microphones enables the robot to identify speaker direction and filter background noise, while the loudspeakers deliver clear speech synthesis. With 90 minutes of active battery life and hot-swappable batteries, Nao can operate continuously in extended educational sessions and demonstrations.
Videos
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