ZAGREB, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Humanoid robot Tonka, capable of performing fluid dance routines and Kung Fu-inspired movements, was unveiled on Wednesday at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute during the conference on humanoid robotics.
Named Tonka after a popular Croatian female name to reflect local culture, the robot is built on the Unitree G1 platform developed by China's Unitree Robotics.
Its upgrades, including a customized voice communication system and enhanced motor controls, were developed by the Croatian company Vandri Robotics in collaboration with its Slovenian partner.
Tadej Slapnik, director and co-founder of Vandri Robotics, told Xinhua that the company has already launched its first commercial application in tourism. A specialized humanoid receptionist is expected to be fully operational within the next three to four months, tasked with welcoming guests, managing reservations, and providing hotel information, Slapnik said
Slapnik described Tonka as personable yet professional. "She can joke, but she also knows how to set boundaries. Our goal is to make her acceptable to people and showcase the potential of human robots."
The one-day conference brought together experts to discuss the strategic roadmap for the rapid evolving field of embodied AI, focusing on research priorities, industrial integration, regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation. ■