Genoa, Italy – Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology have achieved a stunning first: a humanoid robot has taken flight.

On June 18, 2025, the robot iRonCub3 lifted off the ground by about 50 cm, maintaining perfect balance while flying with jet propulsion. The breakthrough marks the world’s first jet-powered flight of a humanoid robot designed for real-world conditions.

The robot is powered by four jet engines—two on its arms and two on a backpack. Its flight capability is the result of two years of development, wind tunnel testing, AI integration, and redesign of the iCub3 humanoid platform.

iRonCub3 weighs about 70 kg and can handle over 1000 newtons of thrust. Exhaust temperatures reach up to 800°C. Special materials, including a titanium spine and heat-resistant covers, protect the machine during operation.

The project is led by the Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence Lab at IIT, under Daniele Pucci. Their work integrates terrestrial locomotion with aerial mobility for robots capable of operating in extreme environments.

Control systems for iRonCub3 include neural networks trained on both simulations and real data, enabling the robot to remain stable even during non-stationary maneuvers.

The complex shape of the robot introduces major aerodynamic challenges. Researchers developed new models to account for changing limb positions and body geometry during flight.

This historic flight was performed in IIT’s test area, and further experiments will take place at Genoa Airport under strict safety regulations.

Future applications include search and rescue, disaster response, and exploration in environments where both mobility and manipulation are essential.

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