Torso on a mobile platform
KIT says the human-like torso and mobile platform let ARMAR-III move through its working space. KIT's family page describes the platform as holonomic. [1][2]
Price & availability
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has not published a price
Discontinued
Current dataset status: Discontinued.
Product overview
About KIT ARMAR-III
KIT ARMAR-III is an early humanoid from the ARMAR family, developed at KIT's Institute of Anthropomatics and Robotics and completed in 2006. KIT's 100 Objects page gives an approximate height of 175 cm and weight of about 150 kg, with over 43 joints and more than 50 sensors. It has five computers, ten other specialized processor units and two batteries.
KIT designed the robot to mimic human sensing and sensorimotor abilities for household environments. It has a human-like torso and a mobile platform that allows holonomic movement. KIT says it was demonstrated in its kitchen, where it loaded a dishwasher and served drinks from the fridge. ARMAR-IIIb, a slightly improved version, followed two years later.
ARMAR-III is a historical model rather than a current product. It is part of KIT's '200 Years of KIT | 100 Objects' exhibition, and a 2025 KIT news item described the robot, then 19 years old, as still functional. KIT lists no price or sales channel for it.
“Its human-like torso and mobile platform allow ARMAR III to move flexibly through its working space.”
Capabilities
Key features
Kitchen demonstrations
KIT says the robot was demonstrated in its kitchen, loading a dishwasher and serving drinks from the fridge. [1]
More than 50 sensors
KIT lists over 50 sensors, including two cameras per eye, moment-of-force and tactile sensors, and laser scanners. [1]
Still functional in 2025
A 2025 KIT news item says ARMAR-III, then 19 years old, is still functional and part of the 200 Years of KIT exhibition. [3]
Hardware profile
Specifications
Official — stated by the manufacturer or organizerReported — stated by a credible third partyEstimated — derived or approximate
Body
Hands & Manipulation
- DoF per hand
- 8Reported — stated by a credible third party[4]Per five-fingered hand in KIT's 2006 system paper
- Hand / end effector
- Five-fingered anthropomorphic hands with 8 DoF eachReported — stated by a credible third party[4]
Compute & Sensing
- Onboard compute
- Five computers plus ten other specialized processor units (per KIT)Official — stated by the manufacturer or organizer[1]
Show unknown fields (9)
Mobility
- Maximum speed
- Not published
- Peak joint torque
- Not published
- Actuation
- Not published
Power
- Battery
- Not published
- Runtime
- Not published
- Charge time
- Not published
- Swappable battery
- Not published
Hands & Manipulation
- Payload
- Not published
Compute & Sensing
- AI stack
- Not published
Quick answers
KIT ARMAR-III FAQ
Can you buy KIT ARMAR-III?
No general order page is verified. KIT ARMAR-III is currently classified as discontinued. [1]
How tall is KIT ARMAR-III and how much does it weigh?
KIT ARMAR-III is 175 cm tall and weighs 150 kg (Approximate figure from KIT's 100 Objects page). [1]
How many degrees of freedom does KIT ARMAR-III have?
KIT ARMAR-III has 43 listed degrees of freedom; KIT says 'over 43 joints' (100 Objects) and 'a total 43 DOFs' (family page); hands not separately stated. [1][2]
Who makes KIT ARMAR-III?
KIT ARMAR-III is made by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), based in Germany. [1]
What is the predecessor or successor of KIT ARMAR-III?
KIT ARMAR-7 is its successor. [1]
Side by side
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Lineage
Model family
Evaluation footprint
Benchmarks & competitions
No benchmark embodiments or results reference this robot yet.
Related
Similar robots
Evidence
Sources
- [1]ARMAR III humanoid robot (KIT, 200 Years of KIT | 100 Objects) ↗Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) · official · accessed Oct 8, 2026
- [2]ARMAR Family (KIT H²T) ↗Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), High Performance Humanoid Technologies Lab (H²T) · official · accessed Oct 8, 2026
- [3]Welcome to H²T (KIT H²T homepage, news items) ↗Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), High Performance Humanoid Technologies Lab (H²T) · official · accessed Oct 8, 2026
- [4]ARMAR-III: An Integrated Humanoid Platform for Sensory-Motor Control ↗IEEE-RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robots / University of Karlsruhe · paper · accessed Oct 8, 2026