Westwood Robotics :: Proprioceptive Actuators & Dynamic Humanoid Robot Platforms

Westwood Robotics is a Los Angeles-based robotics company founded in 2018 by alumni and researchers from UCLA’s Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa). The company specializes in developing proprioceptive actuators and dynamic humanoid robot platforms. Its mission is to “bring robots closer to people” by creating advanced, compliant, and capable robotic systems for research, education, and real-world applications.

Westwood Robotics is best known for its high-performance BEAR Series (Back-drivable Electromechanical Actuator for Robotics) proprioceptive actuators. These actuators feature integrated torque sensing, compliance control, and exceptional dynamic performance. They are used in robotic end-effectors, manipulators, and full humanoid systems, enabling safe human-robot interaction, agile movement, and precise force control. The actuators are deployed by leading research institutions and industrial partners in manufacturing, medical, and food sectors.

Key robot-based products include:

• BRUCE (Bipedal Robot Unit with Compliance Enhanced): A kid-sized (child-height) open-platform humanoid robot designed primarily for research and STEAM education. It serves as an accessible, programmable platform for universities and students.
• THEMIS Series: The company’s flagship full-size general-purpose humanoid robot. Recent versions (including THEMIS Gen2 and Gen2.5) stand approximately 5’3″ tall with up to 40 degrees of freedom. Powered by proprietary BEAR actuators and high-torque motors (up to 295 lb-ft), THEMIS demonstrates advanced capabilities such as walking at human speeds, running up to 10 km/h, dynamic balancing, parkour-style maneuvers, and mobile manipulation (grasping and handling objects while walking). It features AI computing power up to 275 TOPS and runs on AOS (AI-Augmented Humanoid OS).

Westwood Robotics emphasizes safety, agility, and real-world adaptability. Their systems are designed for dynamic motion and safe environmental interaction. The company continues to push boundaries in humanoid performance while offering both complete robot platforms and modular actuator components.