The Joint Is Key to Humanoid Performance | Suhan Youn (EFLOW)

In this talk

1. 0:26

   Why joints matter

   Youn argues that joints deserve close attention because, by his estimate, they account for over 70% of robot components, while actuators drive over 70% of electricity use. He says robotics companies need joints that are smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient. He also says current actuator motor technology is based on designs dating to 1965.

2. 1:45

   EFLOW’s move into robotics

   Youn says EFLOW has spent about 15 years working on smaller, lighter motors and first served the European micromobility market, where it now has 25 customers. The company entered robotics after Samsung approached it about its compact motor technology. He says EFLOW grew from fewer than seven people to nearly 30.

3. 4:09

   Axial flux motors and actuator design

   Youn contrasts conventional radial motors with axial flux designs, which he says can produce more torque in a smaller package. EFLOW is developing robotic actuators using this technology and says it is the only company close to commercializing one for robotics. He cites a target of 5.0 newton-meters per kilogram by year end, compared with 1.5 for conventional actuators, and says a planetary gear can deliver over 100 newton-meters.

4. 6:25

   Sensors, manufacturing, and cost

   Youn says EFLOW uses an absolute PCD II sensor that he claims is less affected by temperature and high current than magnetic sensors. He acknowledges that axial flux actuators are difficult and expensive to manufacture, while citing Chinese products at about $250 and a DJI product with the same specifications at about $1,500. He expects EFLOW’s design to be smaller, lighter, more powerful, and lower cost.

5. 10:40

   AI-assisted design and production plans

   Youn says EFLOW built its own design software because existing tools focused on radial motors. The software evaluates 17 design factors, compared with seven for a typical radial motor, and includes an LLM interface for design questions. He says actuator design now takes four weeks instead of more than a year, and that major companies in the US, Japan, and Korea have asked about supply for early next year.