China’s humanoid robot learns complex skills in hours without setup

PNDbotics has introduced the Adam-U Ultra, a humanoid robot that significantly advances autonomous manipulation and learning by integrating precision quasi-direct-drive (QDD) joints with a vision–language–action (VLA) large model. Preloaded with over 10,000 real-world data samples, Adam-U Ultra can perform complex tasks immediately after powering on, requiring no additional setup or calibration. This design enables the robot to acquire and deploy new skills within hours, a notable improvement over previous platforms that often required days or weeks for adaptation. The system’s tight integration of hardware and intelligence emphasizes streamlined deployment in industrial, commercial, and everyday environments, positioning it as a versatile platform for research, education, and robotics applications. The Adam-U Ultra builds on PNDbotics’ earlier humanoid platforms, including the full-sized Adam robot and the stationary Adam-U data-collection platform unveiled at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025 in Shanghai. Adam features dynamic mobility with up to 44 degrees of freedom, advanced