Clone Robotics built the Protoclone V1 from 3D-printed polymer bones and 1,000 myofiber muscles -- synthetic strands that contract under pressure, anchored to a skeleton modeled on human anatomy. Fused joints reinforce stress points, letting it move in smooth, flowing motions, not robotic jerks.

Water runs through microchannels in its frame, cooling the myofibers like sweat keeps us from overheating. It's odd but practical -- high-power actuators stay functional, no meltdowns. With hundreds of sensors tracking every flex, this android moves less like a machine and more like something alive.

The Protoclone V1 employs Myofiber actuators, a proprietary hydraulic/pneumatic system designed to replicate human muscle function. These actuators consist of pressurized mesh tubes that contract when filled with fluid, enabling lifelike joint articulation. A 500-watt pump delivers high-pressure fluid to drive these artificial muscles, while integrated inertial and pressure sensors optimize force and position in real time.

Despite its eerily human-like gait, the Protoclone V1 remains conspicuously faceless, sporting a sleek black visor instead of lifelike features -- a design choice Clone Robotics says helps dodge the "uncanny valley" while simplifying sensor placement. Critics, however, question its true bipedal prowess; so far, public demos have shown the android supported by rigs rather than walking freely. The company acknowledges that pneumatic actuators can lag in making the lightning-fast balance corrections human legs manage naturally. It promises more autonomous displays once future iterations switch to hydraulics. Clone also plans to offer swappable facial modules and body coverings down the line.