This is the dramatic moment a jet-powered humanoid robot successfully took flight in Italy, hovering around 50 cm off the ground while maintaining perfect balance.

Footage shows the robot, named iRonCub3, using jet propulsion to lift off in a controlled test on June 18.

The prototype is powered by four miniature jet engines - two mounted on its arms and two on a backpack - enabling it to fly while maintaining stability.

Researchers say the flight marks a major milestone after two years of development, involving wind tunnel testing, AI integration, and a complete redesign of the existing iCub3 humanoid platform.

Weighing around 70kg, iRonCub3 is capable of generating over 1,000 newtons of thrust. Exhaust temperatures reach up to 800 degrees Celsius, requiring heat-resistant materials and a titanium spine to protect the robot during flight.

The project is led by the Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence Lab at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) under robotics researcher Daniele Pucci.

Daniele said: 'This research is radically different from traditional humanoid robotics and forced us to make a substantial leap forward with respect to the state of the art.'

iRonCub3's control system uses neural networks trained on a mix of simulations and real-world data, allowing it to remain stable even during non-stationary manoeuvres.

The historic flight was conducted in IIT's test area, with further trials scheduled at Genoa Airport under strict safety protocols.

Researchers hope the technology will one day be used in search and rescue, disaster response, and exploration in extreme or hazardous environments, where both mobility and dexterity are critical.