Articles tagged with "humanoid-robot"
China unveils world’s first 'biomimetic AI robot' that smiles, winks
China’s robotics company DroidUp has unveiled Moya, described as the world’s first fully biomimetic embodied intelligent robot, in Shanghai. Moya is a humanoid robot designed to closely mimic human physical presence and behavior, featuring 92% accuracy in human-like walking, the ability to maintain eye contact, and replicate subtle facial micro-expressions such as smiling and winking. Standing 1.65 meters tall and weighing about 32 kilograms, Moya is engineered with human-like proportions and even maintains a body temperature between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius to enhance lifelike interaction. The robot’s design emphasizes natural locomotion and social engagement rather than industrial or cartoonish functions. Public reaction to Moya has been mixed, with some expressing fascination at its realism and others discomfort due to the “uncanny valley” effect, where robots appear almost but not fully human. Technical details remain limited, but Moya reportedly uses a “Walker 3” chassis platform and features a modular design allowing customization
robothumanoid-robotbiomimetic-AIartificial-intelligenceroboticshuman-like-robotembodied-intelligenceUnitree’s G1 becomes world’s first humanoid robot to walk in -53°F
China’s Unitree has achieved a significant milestone in humanoid robotics by demonstrating its G1 robot’s ability to autonomously walk over 130,000 steps in extreme cold conditions reaching –47.4°C (–53°F) in the Altay region of Xinjiang. The robot traced a Winter Olympics emblem across a snowfield measuring approximately 186 by 100 meters, marking the first confirmed instance of a humanoid robot sustaining autonomous walking in such severe cold. To withstand the harsh environment, engineers equipped the G1 with an insulated orange puffer jacket and plastic leg covers to protect critical components like joints, actuators, and batteries from freezing. The G1 robot is a compact biped standing about 127 cm tall and weighing 35 kg, featuring between 23 and 43 joint motors with a maximum torque of 120 Nm. It incorporates advanced sensors such as 3D LiDAR, Intel RealSense depth cameras, and a noise-cancelling microphone array, powered by a
robothumanoid-robotcold-weather-roboticsautonomous-walkingUnitreeextreme-environment-roboticsrobotics-innovationXpeng's IRON humanoid robot with catwalk stumbles at stage event
Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle maker, recently showcased its second-generation IRON humanoid robot at a Shenzhen shopping mall, demonstrating advances in movement, balance, and humanlike interaction ahead of a planned mass rollout in 2026. The robot impressed audiences with a fluid, model-like catwalk enabled by a five-degree-of-freedom spine and sophisticated hip structure, as well as a 3D-printed fascia layer that mimics human musculature to smooth movements and reduce vibrations. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 154 pounds, IRON features 62 active joints and 22 degrees of freedom in each hand, allowing for precise and natural motions. Its dynamic facial display and soft synthetic skin contribute to a warmer, more approachable design intended for retail and home environments. Despite the smooth initial demonstration, IRON lost its balance and fell backward on stage, an incident quickly caught by staff and widely shared online, sparking significant discussion about the challenges still facing humanoid robotics.
robothumanoid-robotXpengbipedal-robotsynthetic-skinrobotics-technologyhumanoid-designWestwood Robotics unveils new humanoid robot that works while walking
Westwood Robotics has introduced Themis Gen 2.5, a full-size humanoid robot that marks a significant advancement in mobile manipulation by enabling simultaneous walking and object manipulation. Unlike traditional humanoid robots that must stop to perform tasks, Themis Gen 2.5 integrates locomotion and manipulation in real time through its new AI-Augmented Humanoid Operating System (AOS). This software framework combines perception, planning, and control using sensor-fusion-based state estimation to maintain balance and precision while navigating dynamic environments. The robot also employs a navigation module with multi-layer mapping and semantic understanding, alongside an Object-Centric Vision-Action Model (OC-VAM) that links visual perception directly to physical actions for efficient task planning. In addition to software innovations, Themis Gen 2.5 features significant hardware upgrades, including a redesigned structure with 40% greater impact resistance and arms with seven degrees of freedom capable of handling payloads over five kilograms. Its lower body incorporates Mountain BEAR actuators in
roboticshumanoid-robotmobile-manipulationAI-operating-systemsensor-fusionactuator-technologyindustrial-automationAi-Da humanoid robot pushes art and tech with Space Pod design work
Ai-Da, the AI-powered humanoid robot artist, has made a pioneering leap by becoming the first robot to design a building with her project Ai-Da: Space Pod. Unveiled at Denmark’s Utzon Center in Aalborg as part of the exhibition "I’m Not a Robot: Architecture and Design Between Human and Machine," the Space Pod is a modular, retro-futuristic housing concept inspired by mid-20th-century space-age design. Utilizing camera-based vision, generative AI, and a robotic drawing arm, Ai-Da created detailed sketches, paintings, and digital renderings of the pod, which features bulbous forms, oversized porthole windows, two living areas, a spiral staircase, and a smaller nested pod intended as a resting space for the robot. The design envisions adaptable habitats for cohabitation between humans and robots, suitable for Earth and extreme environments like the Moon or Mars. This project marks a significant milestone in the intersection of AI, art, and
robothumanoid-robotAI-artrobotic-architecturegenerative-AIrobotic-designmodular-housingTesla invested $2B in Elon Musk’s xAI
Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI recently disclosed raising $20 billion in funding, with Tesla revealed as a key investor contributing $2 billion. Other notable investors include Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, Qatar Investment Authority, Nvidia, and Cisco as strategic partners. Despite Tesla shareholders voting against authorizing the investment last November—due to a high number of abstentions counted as no votes under Tesla’s bylaws—the company proceeded, justifying the move by aligning it with Tesla’s Master Plan Part IV, which emphasizes integrating AI into physical products and robotics. Tesla’s shareholder letter highlights that xAI’s development of digital AI products like the Grok chatbot complements Tesla’s focus on physical AI applications, such as the Optimus humanoid robot and autonomous vehicles. The investment and a related framework agreement are intended to foster collaboration between Tesla and xAI, enhancing Tesla’s ability to scale AI-driven physical products and services. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter, building on an existing relationship between the two companies
robotAITeslaautonomous-vehicleshumanoid-robotenergytechnology-investmentUS firm unveils small humanoid robot butler for household chores
Fauna, a New York-based robotics startup, has unveiled Sprout, a compact humanoid robot designed specifically for operation in everyday human environments such as homes, schools, offices, and service spaces. Unlike traditional industrial robots adapted for public use, Sprout is built from the ground up with safety, interaction, and accessibility as priorities. Standing 3.5 feet tall, it features a lightweight, soft exterior with quiet actuation and avoids sharp edges, enabling safe close physical proximity without safety cages. Its simple one-degree-of-freedom grippers support basic tasks like fetching objects and hand-offs, while the robot is engineered to fall, crawl, and recover without damage. Sprout also incorporates an expressive face to facilitate intuitive, nonverbal human-robot communication. Sprout is positioned as a developer-centric platform, offering whole-body behaviors such as walking, kneeling, crawling, compliant physical interaction, and fall recovery, alongside core capabilities like teleoperation, mapping, navigation, and expressive interaction primitives
robothumanoid-robotservice-robothuman-robot-interactionrobotics-platformhome-automationrobot-safetyFigure robot gets AI brain that enables human-like full-body control
Figure’s humanoid robot has been enhanced with Helix 02, an advanced AI brain that enables unified full-body control, integrating walking, manipulation, and balance through a single neural network. Unlike previous models limited to upper-body tasks, Helix 02 processes raw sensor data—including vision, touch, and proprioception—to coordinate all actuators seamlessly. This system replaces traditional hand-coded controls with learned, human-like motion, allowing the robot to perform complex, continuous tasks autonomously. A key demonstration involved the robot unloading and reloading a dishwasher across a kitchen without resets or human intervention, showcasing its ability to maintain delicate grasps, coordinate both arms, and recover from errors over extended periods. Helix 02 builds on Figure’s earlier Helix AI by introducing System 0, a foundational control layer operating at kilohertz rates to manage balance and coordination, complementing System 1 (full-body motion translation) and System 2 (high-level reasoning and language). Trained on over 1
robothumanoid-robotAI-controlfull-body-controlloco-manipulationneural-networkrobotics-autonomyWorld’s first robot astronaut: China’s Engine AI plans to send humanoid into space
Chinese robotics company Engine AI has announced plans to send its humanoid robot, PM01, into space, aiming to create the world’s first robot astronaut. Partnering with commercial space firm Beijing Interstellar Human Spaceflight Technology (Interstellor), the initiative—called the Humanoid Robot Astronaut Exploration Program—will focus on adapting PM01 for the extreme conditions of space, including vacuum, microgravity, temperature fluctuations, and radiation. Engine AI emphasizes that space missions demand exceptional stability, adaptability, and autonomous decision-making from robots, and the collaboration will work to enhance PM01’s resilience and independent operational capabilities for complex tasks in orbit. The PM01 humanoid robot is a compact, 1.38-meter-tall platform weighing about 40 kilograms, designed with a bionic structure and advanced sensors such as an Intel RealSense depth camera for spatial awareness. It features a dual-chip architecture combining NVIDIA Jetson Orin and Intel N97 CPUs to manage perception and motion control in real time. Engine
robothumanoid-robotspace-explorationAI-roboticsautonomous-robotsrobotics-in-spaceEngine-AIWorld's first: China’s humanoid robot connects to orbiting satellite
China’s humanoid robot “Embodied Tien Kung” achieved a world first by directly connecting to a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, demonstrated at the 3rd Beijing Commercial Space Industry High-Quality Development Promotion Conference on January 23. The robot linked with GalaxySpace’s new wing-array integrated internet satellite, transmitting real-time visual and movement data without relying on ground-based networks. During the demonstration, the robot performed a real-world task by retrieving a certificate from a driverless vehicle and delivering it to a project leader, all while maintaining a stable satellite connection that also supported smartphones and computers. This milestone highlights the potential for humanoid robots to operate in remote or network-limited environments such as disaster zones, mining sites, and field exploration areas. By bypassing geographic constraints of traditional internet, satellite connectivity enables robots to perform complex physical tasks with real-time data transmission, improving efficiency and safety in high-risk settings. The “Embodied Tien Kung” robot’s achievement builds on its previous
robotIoTsatellite-communicationhumanoid-robotremote-operationautonomous-systemsLEO-satelliteWatch: ALLEX shows how humanoid robots can shake hands safely
ALLEX is a Korean-developed humanoid robot unveiled by WIRobotics at CES 2026, designed to enable safe and natural physical interaction between humans and robots. Its standout feature is a high degree of force sensitivity and control, allowing it to detect forces as low as 100 gram-force without tactile sensors while exerting up to 40 newtons of fingertip force. This capability enables ALLEX to perform human-like tasks such as shaking hands with a controlled grip that adjusts in real time, balancing strength and flexibility to avoid injury. The robot’s hands and arms are back-drivable, meaning they can be safely pushed or guided, and its arm system features low friction and rotational inertia to facilitate smooth, fluid motion suitable for close human interaction. ALLEX’s design includes 15 degrees of freedom, gravity compensation from the waist to upper body, and a lightweight build—its hand weighs about 1.5 pounds and the shoulder-down assembly about 11 pounds—yet it can lift over
robothumanoid-robotforce-controlhuman-robot-interactionroboticstactile-sensingautomationChina's humanoid robot GrowHR floats, swims, flies, and walks on water
Researchers at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUST) in Shenzhen, China, have developed GrowHR, a soft humanoid robot inspired by human bone structures that can shapeshift, float, swim, fly, and walk on water. Weighing just 9.9 pounds (4.5 kilograms), GrowHR features linked structures capable of extending up to 315 percent in length and shrinking significantly to navigate confined spaces. Its design incorporates soft expandable chambers, tensioned cables, rigid adapters, and a nonstretchable textile layer to balance flexibility, strength, and stability. This allows the robot to nearly triple its height to 1.36 meters, crawl efficiently, and maintain balance during complex movements, demonstrating a level of adaptability and mobility beyond typical soft or rigid robots. GrowHR’s lightweight body enables it to perform diverse tasks such as floating, swimming, and even flying with the assistance of ducted fans or quadrotors, covering distances of several meters. It can walk on water
roboticshumanoid-robotsoft-roboticsadaptive-structuresbiomimicryGrowHRrobotics-innovationPhotos: Unitree G1 humanoid robot turned into luxury collector piece with gold accents
Luxury brand Caviar has unveiled the Aladdin, a unique luxury humanoid robot based on the Unitree G1 platform, marking the world’s first high-end reimagining of such a machine. Standing 130 cm tall and weighing about 35 kg, the robot features 23 degrees of freedom for fluid movement and balance. The design bridges advanced engineering with fine art, transforming the functional robot into a symbol of status and sophisticated aesthetics. Inspired by the ancient Middle Eastern tales of "One Thousand and One Nights," the Aladdin incorporates arabesque patterns, precious stones, and a deep black finish accented with gold, evoking the image of a moving artifact rather than typical industrial machinery. The robot’s silhouette draws from traditional Eastern menswear like the chapan and caftan, lending it a poised, noble appearance. Meticulous craftsmanship, including filigree work and flowing lines, obscures its mechanical nature, positioning the Aladdin as both a technological device and a sculptural art piece.
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-G1luxury-roboticsartificial-intelligencerobot-designadvanced-engineeringGerman industrial humanoid robot Agile One offers precise hand skills
German startup Agile Robots has introduced Agile One, a humanoid robot designed to enhance industrial productivity through advanced Physical AI and human-like dexterity. Equipped with 71 degrees of freedom—including 21 in each hand—Agile One features sensor-rich, tactile fingertips and force-torque sensing at every joint, enabling it to perform delicate and forceful tasks with high precision and stability. Standing 174 cm tall and weighing 69 kg, the robot can carry payloads up to 20 kg, move at speeds up to 2.0 m/s, and operate for up to eight hours on a single battery charge. Its onboard AI supports audio-based interaction and spatial awareness, allowing it to navigate dynamic factory environments and collaborate safely and intuitively with human workers. Agile One is designed for complex, repetitive, and high-precision industrial tasks such as material transport, machine tending, tool use, and precise manipulation. The robot’s AI is trained on one of Europe’s largest industrial datasets, supplemented by simulations
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticsdexterous-robot-handsfactory-roboticsphysical-AIUBTECH Walker S2 humanoid robots automate tasks at wind turbine plant
UBTECH’s Walker S2 humanoid robots are actively transforming industrial automation at China’s first 5G-enabled wind turbine smart factory operated by SANY RE. These robots autonomously navigate the factory floor, performing human-like tasks such as precise component handling and adaptive assembly line work. Leveraging 5G connectivity, the Walker S2 demonstrates advanced mobility, dexterity, and stable balance, enabling it to safely and effectively operate alongside human workers. The robots use a proprietary binocular stereo vision system with deep learning for real-time spatial awareness and object recognition, enhancing their ability to interact dynamically within the production environment. Designed with a whole-body dynamic balance algorithm, the Walker S2 can perform physically demanding tasks including deep squatting, forward pitching, and lifting payloads up to 15 kilograms. It operates on UBTECH’s Co-Agent system within the BrainNet 2.0 AI framework, which facilitates adaptive, multi-step task execution and coordination with other robots. The robot’s autonomous power system supports continuous operation
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automation5G-connectivitysmart-factorywind-energyclean-energy-manufacturingXPeng hits mass-production milestone with first ET1 humanoid robot
XPeng has achieved a significant milestone by completing the first prototype unit of its ET1 humanoid robot, developed to automotive-grade standards. Announced by founder and CEO He Xiaopeng, this marks a critical step toward the company’s goal of large-scale mass production of advanced humanoid robots by the end of 2026. The ET1 follows earlier humanoid models unveiled at XPeng’s AI Day events, including the first-generation IRON robot with over 60 joints and 200 degrees of freedom, and a second-generation model featuring advanced AI chips and lifelike movements enabled by a humanoid spine, bionic muscles, and flexible skin. XPeng’s humanoid robots share technology with its electric vehicles and have already been integrated into internal operations such as factories and stores. The company plans to initially focus the next-generation humanoids on commercial service applications like retail and hospitality, rather than personal home use. This robotics development is part of XPeng’s broader “physical AI” strategy, which also
robothumanoid-robotXPengAI-roboticsmass-productionautonomous-systemsrobotics-technologyFall-safe bipedal robot enables real-world reinforcement learning
Researchers at the University of Illinois’ Kinetic Intelligent Machine LAB (KIMLAB) have developed a novel bipedal robot platform, called HybridLeg, designed to advance real-world reinforcement learning by enabling safe falls and autonomous recovery. The robot features a unique hybrid leg mechanism combining serial and parallel linkages—a five-bar closed linkage actuated by 12 motors, with most motors concentrated near the pelvis to reduce leg mass and improve dynamic walking performance. This design reduces distal inertia, allowing more accurate physics modeling and efficient, agile locomotion. The robot is fully untethered, integrating onboard computing, sensing, and power systems, and includes a lantern-shaped, sensorized mechanical cover that protects it during falls and facilitates whole-body contact. The HybridLeg platform incorporates a multimodal fall detection system that fuses inertial, proprioceptive, and acoustic sensors alongside an improved stance phase detection algorithm. This enables the robot to detect falls, mitigate impact forces, and autonomously reset to a standing posture after each
roboticsbipedal-robotreinforcement-learninghybrid-leg-mechanismhumanoid-robotfall-detectionautonomous-recoveryChina’s humanoid robot Adam nails Charleston dance in motion demo
China’s robotics firm PNDbotics has demonstrated significant advancements in humanoid robotics with its full-sized robot Adam performing the Charleston dance, a routine known for its demanding timing, balance, and coordination. Standing 1.6 meters tall and weighing 60 kilograms, Adam features 41 degrees of freedom and 25 patented quasi-direct-drive actuators capable of delivering up to 360 Nm of torque. These hardware innovations, combined with optimized trajectory-planning algorithms and a high-speed, low-latency control system, enable Adam to execute fluid, precise, and human-like movements with stability and expressiveness, including nuanced waist and wrist motions. The dance performance serves not just as entertainment but as a rigorous systems-level stress test, showcasing progress toward robots capable of complex, real-world tasks alongside humans. In addition to Adam, PNDbotics introduced Adam-U, a stationary humanoid platform designed for AI research and training, featuring 31 degrees of freedom, dexterous hands, and human-like perception through binocular
roboticshumanoid-robotmotion-controlAI-roboticsactuatorstrajectory-planningautonomous-manipulationPhotos: Figure AI humanoid robot mimics human running style with impressive precision
California-based robotics company Figure AI has released a video showcasing its latest humanoid robot jogging outdoors alongside company employees, demonstrating significant advancements in bipedal locomotion. The robot exhibits a fluid and natural running gait, closely mimicking human biomechanics, a marked improvement over earlier robotic movements. However, it remains unclear whether the robot was operating autonomously or under remote control during the run, a detail critical to assessing its level of independence. The new Figure model, introduced in late 2025, is designed for versatile physical interactions, supporting various movements and weight distributions necessary for both outdoor navigation and indoor tasks. While primarily intended for home assistance, the jogging demonstration tests the robot’s balance and motor control in unconstrained environments. The robot is also being trained for household chores such as loading dishwashers, folding laundry, and distributing food and beverages, combining computer vision with precise hand-eye coordination. No commercial release date for the Figure 03 model has been announced, as it remains in development pending further reliability testing
robothumanoid-robotroboticsbipedal-movementAI-roboticsautonomous-robotsphysical-interactionHMND 01: UK Humanoid robot shows logistics readiness at Siemens plant
Humanoid, an AI and robotics firm, in partnership with Siemens, successfully completed a proof-of-concept trial deploying Humanoid’s HMND 01 wheeled Alpha robot in live industrial logistics operations at a Siemens facility. The robot autonomously performed a tote-to-conveyor destacking task, moving 60 totes per hour, handling two tote sizes, and operating continuously for over 30 minutes with an uptime exceeding 8 hours. It achieved over 90 percent success in pick-and-place tasks, demonstrating its ability to handle repetitive industrial workflows reliably in a real production environment. The HMND 01 Alpha is a 220 cm tall humanoid robot on a wheeled base, capable of speeds up to 4.47 mph and designed for industrial handling with a bimanual payload capacity of up to 33 pounds. Equipped with advanced AI-driven motion and task execution, a sensor-rich head with 360-degree cameras, and interchangeable end-effectors, the robot can access items from floor level to two
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-roboticslogistics-automationAI-roboticsSiemenswarehouse-automationHumanoid robot masters lip-sync, predicts face reaction with new system
Researchers at Columbia University’s Creative Machines Lab have developed an advanced humanoid robot named Emo that can synchronize lifelike lip movements with speech audio and anticipate human facial expressions in real time. Emo features significant hardware improvements over its predecessor Eva, including 26 actuators for asymmetric facial expressions and flexible silicone skin manipulated by magnets for precise control. Equipped with high-resolution RGB cameras in its eyes, Emo uses a dual neural network framework: one model predicts its own facial movements, while another anticipates the human interlocutor’s expressions. This allows Emo to perform coexpressions—mirroring human facial reactions before they fully manifest—across multiple languages, including those not in its training data. The system’s predictive model, trained on 970 videos from 45 participants, analyzes subtle initial facial changes to forecast target expressions with high speed and accuracy, running at 650 frames per second. The inverse model executes motor commands at 8,000 fps, enabling Emo to generate facial expressions within 0.002 seconds,
robothumanoid-robotfacial-roboticshuman-robot-interactionmotor-controlneural-networksreal-time-expressionChina’s new humanoid robot senses delicate touch with soft skin tech
China’s startup Matrix Robotics has unveiled MATRIX-3, its third-generation humanoid robot that marks a significant advancement in physical artificial intelligence. Unlike previous robots limited to pre-set tasks, MATRIX-3 is designed for adaptive, real-world interaction, aiming to operate safely and autonomously in everyday commercial, medical, and home environments. The robot features a biomimetic “skin” made of flexible woven fabric embedded with distributed sensors, enabling it to detect soft touch and real-time impacts, thus enhancing safety during human–robot interaction. Its tactile sensor arrays in the fingertips can sense pressures as low as 0.1 newtons, and combined with an advanced vision system, MATRIX-3 can assess object properties and handle fragile or deformable items reliably. MATRIX-3 also boasts human-like dexterity and mobility, with a 27-degree-of-freedom hand that mimics human anatomy and uses lightweight cable-driven actuators for precise, fast movements. Its full-body motion is powered by linear actuators
roboticshumanoid-robotbiomimetic-skintactile-sensorsartificial-intelligencehuman-robot-interactiondexterous-manipulationNEO can now teach itself new skills using video-based AI models
1X has introduced a significant AI upgrade for its humanoid robot NEO, called the 1X World Model, which enables the robot to autonomously learn new physical skills from simple voice or text prompts—even for tasks and environments it has never encountered before. This breakthrough is powered by a video-based AI model grounded in real-world physics, allowing NEO to learn from vast internet-scale video data that captures human interactions with objects. Unlike traditional robots that rely heavily on pre-programmed behaviors or extensive human-operated data, NEO can generalize knowledge from videos and translate it into reliable physical actions, bridging a critical gap in humanoid robotics. The 1X World Model allows NEO to perceive its surroundings through cameras, generate visual predictions of future actions, and execute precise movements using an inverse dynamics model. Demonstrations show NEO performing everyday tasks such as packing a lunch box and handling novel actions like opening sliding doors, ironing clothes, and brushing hair without prior training examples. This capability reflects the transfer
robothumanoid-robotAI-learningautonomous-robotsvideo-based-AIrobotics-innovationmachine-learningWorld’s smallest humanoid robot designed to learn, evolve with users
Chinese robotics company PrimeBot, a subsidiary of AgiBot, has launched the Prime series—world’s smallest humanoid robots designed for personal ownership and long-term interaction. The two models introduced, Prime Q1 and Prime T1, emphasize adaptability, emotional responsiveness, and co-creation with users rather than fixed industrial tasks. Prime Q1 is a compact, force-controlled full-body humanoid robot aimed at developers and educators, featuring modular components and customizable shells to evolve its form and personality. Prime T1 is a consumer-grade transformable robot that can switch between a wheeled humanoid and a bionic quadruped, designed for versatile indoor and outdoor navigation. PrimeBot’s approach diverges from traditional humanoid robots by focusing on embodied intelligence—robots that learn and adapt through physical interaction and ongoing user engagement. Built on an open platform, the Prime robots invite collaborative development in aesthetics, interaction, and functionality, making robotics ownership an active, creative process. This launch coincides with technological advances in
robothumanoid-robotpersonal-roboticsAIrobotics-platformadaptive-systemsedge-AIChina’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
roboticshumanoid-robotautonomous-manipulationAI-roboticsprecision-jointsVLA-modelindustrial-roboticsHyundai’s Atlas humanoid robot named top bot at major US tech show
Hyundai Motor Group’s Atlas humanoid robot, developed by its US-based subsidiary Boston Dynamics, won the Best Robot award at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, recognized by global media including CNET. Atlas stood out for its humanlike walking ability, refined industrial design, and practical application of human-centered AI, signaling a shift from experimental demos to real-world industrial deployment. The robot is nearing readiness for factory use, with Hyundai planning to begin deploying Atlas in its manufacturing plants starting in 2028. Atlas is a fully electric humanoid robot featuring 56 independently controllable joints for fluid, human-like motion, tactile-sensor-equipped hands, and the ability to lift up to 110 pounds. It is designed to operate autonomously in complex, harsh industrial environments, withstanding temperatures from -4°F to 104°F and being waterproofed for factory conditions. Hyundai’s phased rollout will initially assign Atlas low-risk tasks such as sorting and transporting parts, progressing to more complex assembly work by 203
robothumanoid-robotBoston-Dynamicsindustrial-automationAI-roboticsfactory-robotsHyundai-roboticsRobot plays high-speed ping-pong with 0.02-second reaction time
At CES 2026, Singapore-based Sharpa introduced North, an autonomous humanoid robot designed to demonstrate human-level dexterity and rapid responsiveness. North features a remarkable 0.02-second reaction time, allowing it to process and respond to environmental changes almost instantaneously. This capability enables the robot to perform complex tasks such as winning a high-speed ping-pong rally autonomously, tracking and intercepting balls in real time without human intervention. North’s mechanical design includes the Sharpa Wave, a dexterous robotic hand with 22 active degrees of freedom and over 1,000 tactile pixels per fingertip, enabling precise manipulation tasks like extracting a single card from a deck or assembling a delicate paper windmill through a 30-step sequence. Beyond its hand dexterity, North boasts a wide upper-body range of motion and is powered by a proprietary neural network and advanced optimization, allowing it to excel in “contact-rich” tasks with sustained precision over long durations. Unlike specialized robots limited to single tasks
roboticshumanoid-robotautonomous-robotdexterous-robotic-handreal-time-reactionAI-roboticsCES-2026China's ice cream-making humanoid robot wows crowds at US tech show
At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, PaXini Tech showcased its tactile humanoid robot TORA-ONE performing a complete ice cream-making workflow autonomously, demonstrating the practical application of touch-driven intelligence beyond research settings. The company presented its full embodied intelligence stack, including advanced tactile sensors, robotic hands, humanoid platforms, and large-scale data systems. Originating from Japan’s Sugano Laboratory, PaXini focuses on enabling AI systems to understand the physical world through high-precision touch, force, and motion sensing. Central to PaXini’s technology are its independently developed tactile sensors, such as the PX-6AX-GEN3, which provide multidimensional force sensing with exceptional resolution and repeatability. These sensors, along with wrist and joint force sensing, allow robots to perceive contact similarly to human touch. The company also introduced the DexH13 dexterous hand, featuring over a thousand tactile processing units, capable of delicate manipulation tasks like grasping irregular objects and turning knobs,
robothumanoid-robottactile-sensorsembodied-AIrobotics-technologydexterous-robotic-handCES-2026Humanoid robot deals cards and builds paper windmill with nimble hands
At CES 2026, Singapore-based AI robotics company Sharpa unveiled its first full-body humanoid robot, North, designed for productivity-focused autonomy. North showcased impressive dexterity through live demonstrations, performing complex tasks such as playing ping-pong with a 0.02-second reaction time, dealing cards using real-time vision and language inputs, and assembling a paper windmill—a task involving over 30 steps and handling diverse materials like thin, deformable paper, plastic pins, and sticks. These feats highlight North’s ability to adapt its grasp and manipulate objects with human-like precision, enabled by Sharpa’s proprietary robotic hand, SharpaWave, which features human-scale size, 22 degrees of freedom, and thousands of tactile sensors per fingertip. Sharpa’s Vice President Alicia Veneziani emphasized that North’s dexterity stems from the anthropomorphic design of its hand, the integration of tactile feedback, and advanced AI training that allows the robot to adjust to different interaction scenarios. The company aims to move
robothumanoid-robotrobotic-handAI-roboticsdexterous-manipulationtactile-sensorsrobotics-technology‘World’s first’ surgical humanoid robot brings high precision in spine procedures
Switzerland-based LEM Surgical has introduced Dynamis, the world’s first commercially deployed surgical humanoid robot designed specifically for spine and orthopedic procedures. Showcased at CES 2026 within NVIDIA’s exhibition area, Dynamis features a three-arm robotic architecture that mimics human bimanual workflows, enabling surgeons to position instruments with sub-millimeter precision. The system integrates two robotic arms for surgical guidance and instrument handling, plus a third arm dedicated to controlling the navigation camera, all mounted on a mobile cart that minimizes operating room footprint. Dynamis leverages NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare and onboard AI to compensate for micro-movements, enhancing stability and accuracy during complex spinal surgeries, including thoracic, lumbar, and sacral approaches. It has received FDA 510(k) clearance and is already in routine clinical use at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas. Looking ahead, LEM Surgical plans to evolve Dynamis by incorporating NVIDIA’s Physical AI ecosystem to further advance hard-tissue robotic surgery. Future iterations
robotsurgical-robothumanoid-robotmedical-roboticsspine-surgeryAI-in-healthcarerobotic-surgeryCES 2026: Lovense debuts AI companion robot with focus on connections
At CES 2026, Singapore-based Lovense unveiled Emily, an AI-powered companion doll designed to go beyond traditional life-size sex dolls by combining a realistic silicone humanoid body with proprietary AI that delivers human-like cognition, emotional awareness, and expressive behavior. Emily features a posable skeleton, limited facial animations such as blinking and mouth movement, and Bluetooth connectivity that integrates with Lovense’s broader ecosystem of devices. The AI is capable of remembering past interactions, adapting its personality over time, and enabling users to engage remotely via the Lovense app, including messaging and receiving AI-generated selfies. Lovense positions Emily primarily as a long-term companion aimed at addressing modern loneliness and fostering deeper emotional connections through personalized, judgment-free interaction. The company emphasizes the AI’s evolving relationship-driven nature and the product’s role in helping users build confidence and explore intimacy safely. Pricing is expected between $4,000 and $8,000, with shipments planned for 2027 and a $200 reservation fee to join the wait
robotAI-companionhumanoid-robotBluetooth-connectivityemotional-AICES-2026LovenseUK firm to debut world's fastest-developed humanoid robot at CES 2026
The UK-based company Humanoid has developed HMND 01 Alpha, a wheeled humanoid robot built in just seven months, marking the fastest development cycle for such a robot. Currently showcased at CES 2026, HMND 01 Alpha autonomously performs industrial bin picking by selecting metallic bearing rings from cluttered bins in a near-production factory environment. The robot stands 220 cm tall, moves on wheels at speeds up to 4.47 mph, and features 29 active degrees of freedom. It can carry bimanual payloads up to 33 pounds and reach items from floor level to two meters high, using AI-driven motion and task execution supported by advanced sensors including 360-degree RGB cameras and depth sensors. At CES, the robot is demonstrated at the Schaeffler Group booth, where it operates fully autonomously to pick unsorted bearing rings and place them onto a buffer table feeding into a ball-bearing assembly line. Schaeffler, both a user and supplier of
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticsautonomous-robotsCES-2026robotic-bin-pickingVideo: Humanoid robot obeys verbal commands, grabs Coke autonomously
Israel-based startup Mentee Robotics has demonstrated its Menteebot V3 humanoid robot autonomously responding to verbal commands, such as retrieving a can of Coke. The robot interprets spoken instructions, visually identifies the target object, navigates to it, grasps it, and returns to the user without human intervention. This capability is enabled by Mentee’s “Foundation Model,” which integrates language understanding, visual perception, navigation, and manipulation into a cohesive system. Training involves reinforcement learning in simulated environments, with skills transferred to real robots via Sim2Real techniques, allowing non-experts to teach robots naturally through speech and demonstration rather than coding. Founded in 2022 by Mobileye founder Prof. Amnon Shashua and AI experts, Mentee Robotics has raised over $40 million and employs about 70 people. On January 6 at CES, Mobileye announced plans to acquire Mentee in a deal valued up to $900 million, aiming to expand beyond autonomous vehicles into humanoid robotics
roboticshumanoid-robotautonomous-robotsmachine-learningAIrobot-traininghuman-robot-collaborationFourier's humanoid robot brings 'warm tech companionship' to CES 2026
At CES 2026, Chinese robotics firm Fourier made its US debut with the GR-3, a full-size humanoid "Care-bot" designed to deliver warm, human-centered interaction through advanced perception and intuitive intelligence. Standing 165 cm tall and weighing 156 pounds, GR-3 integrates a Full-Perception Multimodal Interaction System that combines sight, sound, and touch, enabling it to localize voices, recognize faces, track movements, and respond naturally in real time. Its hybrid control architecture blends reflexive responses with advanced language-model reasoning, allowing it to engage in natural conversation, emotional reassurance, and routine assistance. The robot's expressive gestures, animated facial interface, and 31 pressure sensors create lifelike reactions, while its soft-touch shell and warm design foster a familiar, comforting presence suitable for homes, public spaces, and assisted living environments. In addition to GR-3, Fourier unveiled a doll-sized companion robot prototype at CES 2026, embodying the same design
roboticshumanoid-robothuman-robot-interactionAI-companionshipCES-2026multimodal-perceptionassistive-technologyAMD hardware-powered humanoid robot uses body as computing system
Italian robotics company Generative Bionics unveiled its humanoid robot concept, GENE.01, at CES 2026. Scheduled for commercial launch in late 2026, GENE.01 is designed around the principle of Physical AI, using its entire body as a computing system. The robot features a full-body tactile skin embedded with a distributed network of touch and force sensors, enabling it to sense contact, pressure, and subtle physical interactions. This tactile input is integrated into its core decision-making processes, allowing real-time responses to human touch or collisions, thereby facilitating safer and more natural human-robot interactions. Powered by AMD’s suite of CPUs, GPUs, embedded processors, and FPGA-based systems, GENE.01 processes sensory data locally near the sensors rather than relying on a centralized brain. This distributed computing approach enables split-second reactions and smoother movements, reflecting an efficiency inspired by human intelligence residing both in the brain and body. Generative Bionics emphasizes openness by leveraging AMD-supported open-source
roboticshumanoid-robotphysical-AItactile-sensorsAMD-processorsindustrial-automationAI-computingVideo: New humanoid robot operates on its own in crowded public setting
At CES 2026, IntBot, a California-based startup, showcased Nylo, a humanoid social robot operating fully autonomously in a crowded public setting without human backup. Nylo distinguishes itself from conventional AI by perceiving social cues, understanding intent, and engaging naturally with people in dynamic environments. Powered by IntBot’s proprietary multimodal social intelligence system, IntEngine, Nylo integrates vision, audio, and language to coordinate speech, facial expressions, and gestures in real time, enabling it to decide when and how to interact. This demonstration marks a significant advancement in robotics, moving social robots from controlled lab environments into real-world applications. IntBot’s humanoid robots are designed primarily for hospitality and public service roles, providing interactive assistance with a warm, human-like presence. They handle routine inquiries, offer accurate information and directions, and provide local recommendations in over 50 languages, effectively removing language barriers. The robots operate 24/7, allowing human staff to focus on more complex tasks.
robothumanoid-robotsocial-robotAI-roboticsautonomous-robotsservice-robotsphysical-agentsBoston Dynamics’s next-gen humanoid robot will have Google DeepMind DNA
Boston Dynamics has announced a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to accelerate the development of its next-generation humanoid robot, Atlas, aiming to make it more human-like in its interactions. This collaboration, revealed at CES 2026 during Hyundai’s press conference, will leverage Google DeepMind’s AI foundation models, specifically integrating their advanced robotics AI technology, Gemini Robotics. Gemini Robotics is built on a large-scale multimodal generative AI model designed to enable robots to perceive, reason, use tools, and interact naturally with humans, and Atlas will serve as the first test platform for these capabilities. The partnership reflects a move beyond research toward real-world application and scaling, supported by Boston Dynamics’ existing commercial successes such as the quadruped robot Spot and the warehouse robot Stretch, which has processed over 20 million boxes globally. The new Atlas prototype, already in production and headed to a Hyundai factory, demonstrated its mobility at the announcement. However, Boston Dynamics emphasizes that true productization of Atlas requires more than physical
roboticshumanoid-robotBoston-DynamicsAI-integrationGoogle-DeepMindAtlas-robotrobotics-researchVideo: Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoid robot masters tough factory jobs
Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas has advanced significantly, demonstrating superhuman agility and real-world factory capabilities at Hyundai’s auto plant near Savannah, Georgia. Standing 5’9″ and weighing 200 pounds, Atlas performs complex manufacturing tasks alongside humans, showcasing movements such as flips, running, and dancing with precision. A key innovation in this latest version is the robot’s joints, which can rotate a full 360 degrees, enabling motions beyond human biomechanics. This continuous joint rotation also removes wires from moving parts, enhancing reliability. Atlas’s AI, powered by Nvidia chips, allows it to learn new tasks through teleoperation, where human operators guide its hands via VR until it can perform autonomously. Its three-fingered hands with tactile sensors provide fine control for manipulating objects of various sizes. One notable behavior is Atlas’s unique method of rising from the ground, which involves a contortion-like sequence designed to optimize safety, energy efficiency, and sensor verification. Unlike humans, Atlas must calculate each motion precisely
roboticshumanoid-robotBoston-DynamicsAI-roboticsfactory-automationNvidia-AI-chipsrobot-agilityLG’s humanoid robot debuts at CES 2026 with cooking and laundry demos
LG Electronics unveiled its humanoid robot, LG CLOiD™, at CES 2026, showcasing its AI-powered capabilities designed to realize the company’s “Zero Labor Home” vision. The robot integrates seamlessly with LG’s smart home ecosystem, including the ThinQ platform and ThinQ ON hub, enabling it to control and coordinate various home appliances. Demonstrations at the event highlighted CLOiD’s ability to perform household tasks such as retrieving milk and preparing breakfast, as well as managing laundry cycles, including folding and stacking clothes, illustrating its understanding of human lifestyles and precise appliance operation. Physically, LG CLOiD features a torso, head, and two articulated arms with seven degrees of freedom each, mounted on a wheeled base for autonomous navigation. Its design allows flexible, human-like movements and stable mobility, with a low center of gravity to prevent tipping. The robot’s head functions as an AI hub, equipped with cameras, sensors, a display, speaker, and voice-based generative AI to
robothumanoid-robotAI-powered-robotsmart-homeLG-CLOiDhome-automationCES-2026Unitree’s tall humanoid robot stuns with flying kicks and backflips
Unitree Robotics has unveiled its latest humanoid robot, the H2, which stands nearly six feet tall and weighs about 154 pounds. Demonstrated in recent videos, the H2 showcases impressive agility and combat-style movements such as flying kicks, backflips, and precise strikes against sandbags. These dynamic actions are made possible by the robot’s 31 degrees of freedom (DOF) and powerful joint output delivering up to 360 Nm of torque, coordinated through advanced motion control algorithms that ensure balance and precision. Visually, the H2 features a more lifelike, expressive face compared to earlier models, signaling a design evolution toward greater human resemblance. Beyond its physical prowess, the H2 introduces significant functional improvements, notably in its dexterous hands and arms, which now have seven DOF—up from four in previous versions—enabling more complex manipulation tasks. This enhancement shifts the robot’s potential use from mere locomotion demonstrations to practical applications in factories, logistics, and possibly domestic
roboticshumanoid-robotadvanced-motion-controlrobot-agilitydexterous-robotic-handsrobot-torqueUnitree-RoboticsSwitchBot unveils humanoid robot Onero H1 to handle household chores
SwitchBot has introduced its first humanoid robot, the Onero H1, at CES 2026, targeting challenging household chores through integration within its Smart Home 2.0 AI-powered ecosystem. Designed to sense, understand, and act in various home scenarios, the Onero H1 can perform tasks such as grasping, pushing, opening, organizing, serving coffee, washing dishes, doing laundry, and folding clothes. It features 22 degrees of freedom in its arms for flexible movement and uses multiple Intel RealSense cameras to gather real-time data for precise control. Unlike traditional humanoids with legs, the Onero H1 has a smooth, oblong body mounted on a cylindrical wheel base optimized for flat home surfaces. Central to the robot’s capabilities is SwitchBot’s OmniSense VLA model, which enables adaptive learning by recognizing object shapes, positions, and interaction states dynamically. Rather than replacing specialized devices, the Onero H1 acts as an orchestrator within a unified smart home ecosystem,
robothumanoid-robotsmart-homeAI-powered-robotSwitchBothousehold-automationrobotics-technologyHumanoid robot Wanda targets real-world service work in UniX AI’s CES 2026 reveal
UniX AI is preparing to unveil its next-generation humanoid robots, Wanda 2.0 and Wanda 3.0, at CES 2026, marking a shift from demonstration-focused prototypes to commercially deployable service robots. Designed for real-world, repeatable service tasks, these full-size humanoids feature advanced hardware including 23 high-degree-of-freedom joints, an 8-DoF bionic arm, and adaptive grippers, enabling dexterous manipulation and autonomous operation in dynamic environments. UniX AI emphasizes the robots’ ability to learn workflows, adapt to new routines, and perform consistently across various service sectors such as hotels, property management, security, retail, and education, with a stable production capacity of 100 units per month. The Wanda series will be demonstrated performing practical tasks like drink preparation, dishwashing, clothes organization, bed-making, amenity replenishment, and waste sorting in simulated real-world settings. Powered by UniX AI’s proprietary technology stack—combining
robothumanoid-robotservice-robotautonomous-robotAI-roboticsCES-2026UniX-AIUBTech’s humanoid robot hits tennis shots in a controlled rally test
Chinese robotics company UBTech has demonstrated its Walker S2 humanoid robot performing a controlled tennis rally against a human, showcasing advanced capabilities beyond scripted demos. The robot successfully hits moving tennis balls with speed, precision, and confidence, managing complex tasks such as perception, prediction, balance, and rapid motion in real-time. This demonstration highlights the robot’s ability to absorb impact shocks and maintain stability during dynamic interactions, a significant challenge for humanoid robots. Walker S2’s whole-body dynamic balance system enables it to perform deep squats, forward pitching up to 125 degrees, and lift payloads up to 33 pounds within a 1.8-meter range, supporting physically demanding tasks. Walker S2 is equipped with a self-developed binocular stereo vision system using RGB cameras and deep learning for real-time depth mapping, enabling accurate spatial awareness and object recognition. Its coordination relies on UBTech’s Co-Agent system within the BrainNet 2.0 AI architecture, which integrates task-driven decision-making with real-time
robothumanoid-robotUBTechroboticsdynamic-balance-systemindustrial-robotsrobot-perceptionHumanoid ‘Terminator’ robot cop patrols with police officers in China
Footage from Shenzhen, China, recently showed a humanoid robot, developed by EngineAI Robotics Technology, walking alongside police officers during a public patrol demonstration at a tourist site. Though not officially deployed for regular law enforcement, the event marked a transition from lab testing to real-world trials of the T800 robot, highlighting China’s increasing investment in advanced robotics for public safety roles. The T800, standing about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds, is designed for high mobility and agility, capable of kicking, jumping, and handling objects with sensor-equipped hands. It can operate for four to five hours per charge and walk faster than an average human. EngineAI, founded in October 2023, focuses on general-purpose humanoid robots and has quickly introduced several models, including the T800 and smaller versions like the PM01. The company envisions applications ranging from industrial work to customer service and security, with plans for mass production and a base price around $25,000.
robothumanoid-robotpublic-safety-roboticsAI-roboticsEngineAIShenzhen-roboticsautonomous-patrol-robotQ1: Agibot unveils mini humanoid robot that can fit in a backpack
Chinese humanoid robotics startup Agibot has introduced the Q1, a compact AI-powered humanoid robot measuring just 80 cm (31 inches) tall and small enough to fit in a backpack. The Q1 features advanced capabilities such as full-body force control, crash-resistant Quasi-Direct Drive joints, and precise motion enabled by reengineered, egg-sized joints. Designed as an open platform, it offers an accessible SDK and HDK, a 3D-printable exterior shell, and zero-code programming, allowing users to customize its appearance and program movements without advanced robotics expertise. Out-of-the-box functionalities include voice interaction, English tutoring, dance coaching, and onboard positioning, making the Q1 suitable as both a personal companion and a research tool that bridges the gap between lab prototypes and personal devices. Agibot’s Q1 exemplifies the company’s vision of making humanoid robotics portable, customizable, and interactive, effectively turning humanoid robots into personal labs that can be carried in a
robothumanoid-robotAI-powered-robotpersonal-roboticsrobotics-startupopen-source-roboticsQuasi-Direct-Drive-jointsChina robotics firm unveils world's first modular AI service space
Chinese robotics firm AI² Robotics has introduced ZhiCube, the world’s first modular embodied AI service space featuring its AlphaBot 2 humanoid robot. ZhiCube is a customizable unit designed for deployment in commercial, cultural, and tourism venues, with interchangeable modules for coffee, ice cream, entertainment, and retail services. The system leverages AI² Robotics’ GOVLA full-body embodied large model to enable adaptive human–robot collaboration, allowing the robot to perceive its environment, understand tasks, and dynamically adjust roles based on foot traffic and task complexity. For example, during busy periods, the robot collaborates with human staff to manage high-demand tasks, while in specialty services like coffee preparation, humans focus on creativity and robots handle standardized processes. AI² Robotics plans to deploy 1,000 ZhiCube units across China within three years, aiming to establish a scalable urban intelligent infrastructure. The system benefits from extensive real-world testing, with over 50,000 hours of failure-free operation, and
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-service-spacemodular-roboticsintelligent-manufacturinghuman-robot-collaborationAI-powered-robotsHumanoid robot responds cautiously, avoids labeling AI boom a bubble
A humanoid robot named KOID, produced by Chinese robotics firm Unitree and distributed in the US by RoboStore, recently appeared on CNBC to comment on the ongoing AI boom. When asked whether the surge in artificial intelligence represents a speculative bubble or a transformative wave, KOID responded cautiously, stating that only time will reveal the outcome. This measured answer reflects the current uncertainty in the AI industry and highlights how humanoid robotics is becoming increasingly intertwined with broader AI discussions. Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot, weighing about 77 pounds with 23 degrees of freedom, is capable of complex full-body movements, from dance routines to boxing-style motions. Unlike many conceptual humanoid projects, Unitree has moved into real-world deployments, offering the G1 for sale in the US with prices ranging from roughly $9,000 to $129,000 depending on configuration. Despite these advances, the humanoid robotics sector remains largely in a prototyping and evaluation phase, exploring practical applications in domestic assistance, industrial
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-RoboticsAI-integrationrobotics-technologyhumanoid-systemsrobot-deploymentChina's 3D-printing firm made humanoid robot's viral catwalk possible
China’s Suzhou-based company PollyPolymer has played a pivotal role in enabling the lifelike movements of XPeng’s humanoid robot, which gained viral attention earlier this year. Founded in 2017 by materials scientist Wang Wenbin, PollyPolymer initially specialized in 3D-printed footwear components characterized by lightweight, elasticity, durability, and skin-safe materials. These qualities translated well into robotics, where flexible, skin-like structural parts are essential for creating smooth, human-like motion and protecting delicate internal mechanisms. PollyPolymer has supplied joint cushioning systems and integrated foot components to several Chinese robotics firms, including UBTech Robotics and EngineAI, helping advance the shift from rigid industrial robot designs to softer, more compliant systems suited for human environments. A key factor in PollyPolymer’s success is its proprietary high-speed photopolymerization technology called hindered asynchronous light synthesis (HALS), which enables rapid 3D printing of flexible parts without molds. This process supports fast design iteration and small-b
robothumanoid-robot3D-printingmaterials-sciencepolymersflexible-materialsrobotics-manufacturingVideo: Humanoid robot kicks teleoperator's groin in demo-gone-wrong
During a public demonstration of Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot, a teleoperator wearing a motion capture suit attempted a martial arts-style kick that inadvertently struck himself. Because the robot mirrors the operator’s movements exactly and both faced the same direction, the robot lifted its leg in sync, causing the operator’s own foot to hit his groin. The operator collapsed in pain while the robot mimicked his posture, creating a viral moment that highlighted the risks of human-robot interaction when movements are mirrored without spatial adjustment. Unitree recently introduced the G1-D, a wheeled humanoid robot designed for data collection, AI training, and practical tasks in industrial and service environments. The G1 robot itself has been showcased performing advanced martial arts maneuvers, including kicks, spins, and flips, demonstrating impressive agility and balance. However, some viewers have questioned the practical applications of these demonstrations, as Unitree markets the G1 primarily as a research and education platform rather than a consumer home assistant. Pr
roboticshumanoid-robotUnitree-G1motion-capturehuman-robot-interactionAI-trainingrobot-agilityVideo: Humanoid robot dances to viral Bollywood track in India
At Techfest 2025 held at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, a Unitree G1 humanoid robot delivered a live dance performance to the viral Bollywood track “Fa9la” (also known as “Sher-e-Baloch”) from the film Dhurandhar. This event, part of the International Humanoid Summit, showcased the robot’s advanced engineering capabilities in a public and creative setting, blending technology with entertainment. The robot’s choreography was closely synchronized with the song’s rhythm, demonstrating smooth, stable, and coordinated movements enabled by its articulated frame, electric actuators, real-time motion control algorithms, and integrated sensors like depth cameras and LiDAR. This performance was part of a broader trend where humanoid robots are increasingly featured in live stage settings to test and showcase their balance, timing, and adaptability under dynamic and unpredictable conditions such as lighting changes and sound vibrations. Similar demonstrations have occurred recently, including synchronized choreography by Unitree G1 robots at a concert in China with singer Wang
roboticshumanoid-robotUnitree-G1robot-dance-performanceAI-roboticsmotion-controlrobotics-entertainmentLG to unveil humanoid robot at CES 2026 to handle daily chores
LG Electronics is set to unveil LG CLOiD, a new humanoid home assistant robot, at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Designed to handle a variety of daily household chores, LG CLOiD aims to free users from repetitive tasks, embodying LG’s vision of a “Zero Labor Home” that enhances quality of life. The robot features two articulated arms with seven degrees of freedom and advanced dexterity, enabling it to perform delicate and precise tasks. Equipped with a powerful chipset, a display, speaker, camera, and multiple sensors, CLOiD supports natural voice communication, expressive interaction, and intelligent navigation within the home. Central to LG CLOiD’s functionality is LG’s Affectionate Intelligence technology, which emphasizes a human-centric AI approach. This system goes beyond automation by sensing users’ moods, habits, and preferences through real-time data integration with LG’s smart devices. It proactively personalizes assistance, adjusting environmental settings, recommending entertainment, and offering reminders tailored to individual lifestyles.
robothumanoid-robotLG-CLOiDhome-assistant-robotrobotics-innovationAI-roboticsCES-2026US household humanoid robot learns kitchen chores by watching humans
Sunday Robotics, a California-based firm, has developed Memo, a humanoid robot designed to automate repetitive household chores by learning through imitation rather than relying on hard-coded instructions. Unlike traditional robots that struggle with unfamiliar objects or tasks, Memo uses advanced AI and a proprietary Skill Capture Glove to observe and replicate human actions, enabling it to perform a wide range of activities such as cleaning tables, loading dishwashers, folding laundry, handling crockery, and even making espresso. The robot, which currently features an upper torso with two hands mounted on a base platform, demonstrates human-like dexterity and adaptability, continually expanding its capabilities through a growing Skill Library. Memo represents a significant advancement in humanoid robotics by emphasizing intuitive learning suited for unpredictable environments like homes, hospitals, and retail settings. While programmable robots will continue to dominate industries requiring precision and consistency, imitation learning offers greater flexibility for service roles where variability is high. Sunday Robotics plans to launch a Beta program in late 2026, allowing select families to
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-learninghousehold-automationrobot-dexterityimitation-learningSunday-RoboticsChinese humanoid robot achieves world’s first embroidery feat in demo
On December 22, China’s TARS Robotics demonstrated a significant breakthrough in embodied artificial intelligence by showcasing a humanoid robot performing hand embroidery with both hands. The robot threaded a needle and stitched a logo on soft, flexible material with sub-millimeter precision, a task previously considered too delicate and complex for automation. This achievement addresses a long-standing challenge in robotics—ultra-fine manipulation involving precise vision, adaptive force control, and coordinated bimanual movement—opening new possibilities for automating intricate manual tasks such as wire harness assembly and handling soft materials in manufacturing. The success stems from TARS Robotics’ DATA AI PHYSICS approach, which integrates real-world data collection via their SenseHub platform, embodied AI modeling through the TARS AWE 2.0 World Engine, and physical robotic systems designed with minimal digital-to-physical gaps. This closed-loop system enables the AI to learn generalizable physical skills rather than isolated tasks, allowing the robots to reliably execute complex movements in real environments.
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-roboticsprecision-automationindustrial-roboticsembodied-AITARS-RoboticsUS humanoid robot hands out swag before Christmas using advanced brain
The article highlights a recent demonstration of Figure AI’s humanoid robot, Figure 03, showcased by CEO Brett Adcock in a video posted just before Christmas. The robot, powered by the company’s proprietary Helix Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model, demonstrated its ability to answer questions about its origin and capabilities, as well as perform practical tasks such as visually recognizing and handing over medium and large-sized shirts correctly. Figure 03 represents the latest generation of Figure AI’s humanoids, featuring advanced visual recognition, smoother coordination, and a softer, safer design compared to its predecessors. Despite its impressive task execution and conversational abilities, the robot exhibited a noticeable speech latency of 2 to 3 seconds per response, which drew mixed reactions from viewers and highlighted an ongoing challenge in humanoid robotics—making interactions feel natural and fluid. Released in October, Figure 03 is smaller and lighter than earlier models, equipped with enhanced audio clarity, wireless charging through coils in its feet, and a five
robothumanoid-robotvisual-recognitionAIautomationrobotics-technologyhuman-robot-interactionVideo: Humanoid's Alpha reenacts Rowan Atkinson's Love Actually scene
Humanoid, a UK-based robotics firm, released a holiday video featuring its AI-powered humanoid robot HMND 01 Alpha Bipedal reenacting the iconic gift-wrapping scene from the 2003 Christmas film "Love Actually," originally performed by Rowan Atkinson. The one-and-a-half-minute video humorously mirrors the original scene’s tone, showing Alpha as a shop clerk who offers to gift-wrap a small robot. The robot’s exaggerated and increasingly elaborate wrapping, complete with festive decorations, highlights both comedic elements and the robot’s dexterity and learning process. The scene culminates with Alpha recognizing the excess and discreetly replacing the over-wrapped package with a simpler one, underscoring themes of adaptation, judgment, and the trial-and-error nature of teaching humanoid robots. HMND 01 Alpha, standing nearly six feet tall and weighing about 200 pounds, was built in just five months and achieved stable bipedal walking within 48 hours of assembly. The robot has logged
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-robotbipedal-robotrobot-dexterityrobotics-in-retailrobot-learningMuscular humanoid robot folds towel autonomously by watching humans
US startup Kinsi Robotics has developed the KR-1, a muscular humanoid robot capable of autonomously folding towels by observing human demonstrations. The robot uses simultaneous perception, planning, and dexterous manipulation to pick up towels from random positions and fold them neatly, mimicking human behavior. Central to this capability is kinesthetic teaching, a method where a human operator physically guides the robot through the task while the system records visual inputs and corresponding arm and gripper movements. This approach allows the robot to learn a flexible, adaptable skill rather than a fixed sequence, enabling it to handle varying towel configurations. Unlike rigid objects, soft deformable materials like towels pose a significant challenge for robots due to their continuously changing shape, which is difficult to model with traditional physics-based methods. Instead, KR-1 learns through repeated experience, internalizing how the towel responds to different manipulations by mapping visual cues directly to physical actions without explicit labeling of towel features. This experiment exemplifies a broader trend in robotics toward learning
roboticshumanoid-robotautonomous-robotkinesthetic-teachingrobotic-manipulationAI-in-roboticssoft-object-handlingMass-production of hospitality humanoid robots begins at Chinese firm
Chinese company Zerith Robotics has begun mass-producing its H1 service humanoid robots, scaling production to over 100 units per month within a year. Priced at approximately RMB 99,000 (around $13,600), the H1 is positioned at the lower end of the humanoid market, driving strong demand with orders exceeding RMB 100 million. The robots are already deployed in commercial settings across major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shenzhen, performing autonomous cleaning and sanitation tasks in shopping malls and other indoor public and enterprise locations. Distinct from general-purpose bipedal robots, the H1 features a wheeled base with a height-adjustable upper body and two articulated arms, optimized for indoor service and housekeeping roles. It uses advanced sensors including 3D LiDAR and depth cameras for navigation and obstacle avoidance, runs on the ROS2 framework, and offers up to four hours of continuous operation per charge. Zerith’s focus is on reliable, sustained task execution rather than experimental capabilities, signaling a transition
robothumanoid-robotservice-robotrobotics-manufacturingautonomous-navigationROS2indoor-service-robotVideo: Humanoid robot knocked down playfully by US basketball star
During a Dallas Mavericks team event, NBA star Kyrie Irving playfully knocked down a 4’2” humanoid robot, the G1 model from Unitree Robotics, which had been demonstrating karate-style moves. The robot, dressed in a Mavericks jersey, attempted martial arts maneuvers before Irving gently shoved it, causing it to stumble and fall, creating a viral and humorous moment shared widely on social media. The incident highlighted both the entertainment value and current limitations of humanoid robots, with fans joking about the robot’s durability and praising Irving’s physical readiness post-injury. Unitree Robotics recently launched the world’s first humanoid robot app store, enabling users to control robots via phone and share actions like dance and martial arts. The G1 robot is designed for resilience in real-world environments, equipped with advanced sensor-driven perception and predictive motion control systems. It uses data from depth cameras, 3D LiDAR, and joint sensors to anticipate impacts and adjust posture before falling, allowing it to
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-Roboticsrobot-controlrobot-resiliencerobotics-technologyrobot-app-storeLimX's TRON 2 biped robot gets wheeled and humanoid modular modes
LimX Dynamics has introduced TRON 2, a versatile multi-form robot system that can be configured into three main modes: a stationary dual-arm setup, a bipedal walking form, and a wheeled-leg configuration for faster mobility and higher payload capacity. This modular design allows TRON 2 to adapt to various tasks, from delicate manipulation to navigating complex terrains. The robot features human-like dual arms with 7 degrees of freedom, a 0.7-meter reach, and the ability to handle loads up to 10 kg per arm, with a total payload capacity of 60 kg, making it suitable for industrial pick-and-place and material handling operations. TRON 2 supports integration with multimodal perception modules, including voice and vision, and is compatible with leading vision-language-action (VLA) foundation models like Pi 0.5 and ACT. It offers improved balance, motion control, and obstacle avoidance, enabling it to climb stairs and operate stably in varied environments. With up
robotmodular-robotbiped-robothumanoid-robotrobotics-researchAI-roboticsindustrial-automationNoetix unveils humanoid robot receptionist with lifelike face
Chinese robotics startup Noetix has launched Hobbs W1, a humanoid service robot designed for public-facing roles such as reception and guidance in hospitality, retail, education, and corporate environments. Hobbs W1 features a lifelike female-styled bionic head combined with an interactive display, dexterous six-degree-of-freedom hands, and five-degree-of-freedom robotic arms, enabling it to perform natural gestures, hand over items, and carry out light physical tasks. The robot also boasts fully autonomous navigation, emotion recognition, natural conversation abilities, and real-time information synchronization, allowing it to operate independently in complex indoor settings while supporting human workers by handling routine tasks. In addition to Hobbs W1, Noetix recently introduced Bumi, a child-sized humanoid robot priced under US$1,400, following a US$41 million pre-Series B funding round. This pricing significantly disrupts the typical high cost of humanoid robots, which often reach six figures. No
robothumanoid-robotservice-robotautonomous-navigationrobotics-startupbionic-headdexterous-robotic-armsChina unveils six-armed humanoid robot that promises 30% more output
Chinese appliance giant Midea Group has unveiled MIRO U, a six-armed humanoid robot designed to significantly enhance industrial automation by outperforming human workers on factory lines. Unlike traditional two-armed humanoid robots, MIRO U features six fully actuated bionic limbs that enable it to perform three tasks simultaneously, combining heavy lifting with fine assembly work. The robot’s wheeled chassis, 360-degree in-place rotation, and rapid tool-swapping capabilities allow it to efficiently transition between workstations, potentially replacing multiple human workers or machines. Midea expects MIRO U to boost production line changeover efficiency by approximately 30% when fully integrated at its Wuxi High-end Washing Machine Factory in Jiangsu province. MIRO U represents a strategic shift in Midea’s robotics development, focusing on operational efficiency rather than mere human form imitation. The company has divided its humanoid robotics efforts into two lines: the industrial-focused MIRO series and the lighter-duty Meila series, which is planned for
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationMidea-Groupfactory-roboticsbionic-limbsmanufacturing-efficiencyApollo humanoid robot tackles unknown objects with Google DeepMind
Google DeepMind, in collaboration with Apptronik, has demonstrated significant advances in humanoid robotics through the Apollo robot, which can perform complex tasks involving unfamiliar objects by responding to natural-language instructions and adapting in real time. Powered by DeepMind’s Gemini 3 and Gemini Robotics AI models, Apollo showcases capabilities such as packing lunches, sorting laundry, and handling unpredictable household environments without needing retraining for each new task or setting. This progress reflects improvements in AI models and hardware, aiming toward versatile, general-purpose humanoid robots that can understand instructions, plan multi-step actions, and interact safely around people and fragile items. A notable innovation from DeepMind is the development of an “inner monologue” system, where robots internally describe observed human actions in natural language to better understand and remember tasks. This technique enables “zero-shot” learning, allowing robots to handle new objects and tasks without prior training, while also reducing the computational resources needed for training. Additionally, DeepMind introduced “Gemini Robotics On-
roboticshumanoid-robotartificial-intelligenceDeepMindApollo-robotmachine-learningautomationChina's humanoid robot handles rough terrain with human-like motion
Chinese robotics company LimX Dynamics has introduced significant advancements in its full-size humanoid robot, Oli, demonstrating impressive human-like mobility across challenging terrains such as loose sand, rocks, unstable boards, and debris. Equipped with 31 finely tuned joints and a sophisticated perception system—including depth cameras and a motion-tracking unit—Oli continuously processes environmental data to maintain balance and adapt its movements in real time. During tests, the robot successfully compensated for shifting surfaces and obstacles, adjusting its gait dynamically to stay upright and stable without hesitation. Additional capabilities like object pickup and full-body stretching suggest practical applications in navigating cluttered or uneven environments and performing complex tasks. Oli, standing 165 centimeters tall and weighing 55 kilograms, features 31 degrees of freedom that enable fine motor skills through interchangeable end-effectors. Its modular design supports rapid disassembly and component swapping, facilitating accelerated research and development. The robot’s mobility is powered by high-fidelity sensors—including a 6-axis IMU, Intel RealSense depth
roboticshumanoid-robotmotion-controlsensorsautonomous-navigationmodular-designartificial-intelligenceTesla Optimus's fall in Miami demo sparks remote operation debate
A recent Tesla demonstration of the Optimus humanoid robot in Miami captured attention when the robot fell during its presentation, exhibiting hand movements that resembled a human removing a VR headset. This unusual gesture, despite the robot not wearing any device, sparked debate about whether Optimus was operating autonomously or being remotely controlled via teleoperation. Observers and industry experts noted that such hand motions are typical of robots controlled through VR interfaces, leading to speculation that Tesla’s demonstration may not fully reflect independent robot autonomy. Elon Musk, however, has denied these claims, asserting that recent videos showing Optimus performing tasks like kung-fu are driven by AI rather than teleoperation. Tesla recently shared an update highlighting significant progress in Optimus’s balance, coordination, and gait, demonstrated through videos of the robot running and performing smoother movements compared to earlier, more unstable steps. Optimus stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds, and features highly dexterous hands with 11 degrees of freedom
roboticshumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusrobot-autonomyteleoperationAI-roboticsrobot-demonstrationVideo: Unitree's H2 humanoid robot knocks out its droid boxing rival
Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company known for its agile robot dogs, has unveiled its latest humanoid robot, the H2, which stands nearly six feet tall and demonstrates impressive boxing capabilities. In a recent video, the H2 showcased powerful punches, kicks, and knee strikes during a sparring match against a smaller Unitree G1 humanoid, even managing to knock the G1 off the ground and break parts of it. This demonstration highlights the H2’s advanced actuation and strength, marking a significant step forward in Unitree’s humanoid robot development following their success at China’s first World Humanoid Robot Games. The H2 robot features 31 degrees of freedom and joint torque of 360 N·m, enabling precise and dynamic movements. It also introduces newly designed, dexterous hands with seven degrees of freedom—an upgrade from previous models—allowing for complex manipulation tasks beyond basic mobility. This enhancement positions the H2 as a potential worker robot for applications in factories, logistics
robothumanoid-robotroboticsrobot-mobilityrobot-control-algorithmsrobot-actuationUnitree-RoboticsChina deploys traffic robot to direct vehicles, pedestrians in streets
China has introduced an AI-powered humanoid traffic robot named Hangxing No. 1 in Hangzhou’s Binjiang district to assist with urban traffic management. Standing 1.8 meters tall and equipped with cameras, sensors, and gesture-based signaling modeled on real police officers, the robot directs vehicles and pedestrians at a busy intersection. It can signal stop, proceed, or wait commands, sound a digital whistle, and synchronize with traffic lights. Beyond directing traffic, Hangxing No. 1 monitors compliance in real time, detecting violations such as helmetless riders, motorists crossing stop lines, and jaywalking, issuing polite voice warnings to correct behavior without confrontation. Powered by a swappable battery lasting 6 to 8 hours, the robot autonomously returns to a charging dock after peak traffic periods. It operates under an integrated AI system that continuously analyzes live camera feeds to detect infractions, logging incidents and forwarding them to a police database. A human officer remains nearby during early deployment to intervene if needed.
roboticsAItraffic-roboturban-automationsmart-cityhumanoid-robotbattery-technologyCreator IShowSpeed sued for allegedly punching, choking viral humanoid Rizzbot
The article reports on a lawsuit filed by Social Robotics, the creators of viral humanoid influencer Rizzbot, against popular creator IShowSpeed (Darren Jason Watkins Jr.) and his management team. The petition alleges that during a livestreamed event in September, Speed physically assaulted Rizzbot by repeatedly punching it in the face, choking it, pinning it to a couch, and throwing it to the ground. This alleged mistreatment caused significant and irreparable damage to the robot, including loss of functionality in its mouth, neck, head cameras, and sensors, rendering it unstable and unable to walk properly. The incident prompted a police response, with the owner pressing charges, and an ongoing investigation is mentioned. The lawsuit seeks compensation for actual damages and lost profits, citing that Rizzbot has missed out on lucrative opportunities such as appearances on CBS’s The NFL Today and collaborations with MrBeast, which were canceled due to the robot’s incapacitation. Prior to the incident, Rizzbot had
robothumanoid-robotrobotics-lawsuitrobot-damagesocial-roboticsrobot-technologyrobot-functionalityFigure humanoid robot nears human jogging pace in new running demo
The Figure 03 humanoid robot, developed by Figure AI, has demonstrated running speeds approaching the upper range of human jogging (4 to 6 mph), a significant leap from the typical 3 to 4 mph walking speeds of comparable robots. A recent video shared by CEO Brett Adcock showcases the robot’s quick starts, smooth directional changes, and sharp braking, including moments where both feet are off the ground—technically defining running and highlighting advanced dynamic stability control. This performance is powered by an onboard neural network developed by the Helix team, enabling complex, agile movements and marking a major advancement in control systems and high-torque actuation. Beyond speed, Figure 03 is designed for practical commercial and domestic applications. It stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, is lighter and more compact than its predecessor (Figure 02), and features enhanced sensory systems and softer, more flexible hands with fingertip sensors capable of detecting very light pressure (as low as 3 grams). This allows the
robothumanoid-robotroboticsneural-networkautomationAIdynamic-stabilityElon Musk's Optimus humanoid robot achieves human-like smooth running
Tesla has released a new update on its humanoid robot, Optimus, showcasing a viral video of the robot running smoothly in a lab setting. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds, Optimus features over 40 degrees of freedom, including highly dexterous hands with 11 degrees of freedom designed for human-like interaction. Powered by a 2.3 kWh battery, it operates with impressive energy efficiency, consuming as little as 100W at rest and 500W while walking. The latest update highlights significant improvements in balance, coordination, and gait control, marking a major milestone beyond earlier demonstrations of basic walking, object handling, and posture training. Optimus has shown rapid progress since early 2023, evolving from slow, basic movements to performing complex tasks such as pick-and-place operations, basic assembly, and even Kung Fu moves with smooth full-body coordination. Tesla aims to mass-produce the robot by the end of 2025, with Elon Musk
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusroboticsartificial-intelligencebattery-technologyautonomous-robotsNVIDIA tech helps humanoid robot beat human operators at opening doors
NVIDIA researchers have developed “DoorMan,” a robotic learning system enabling a humanoid robot—the $16,000 Unitree G1—to open doors more efficiently than human operators. Utilizing only built-in RGB cameras and trained entirely through simulation-based reinforcement learning in NVIDIA’s Isaac Lab, the system allows the robot to open various real-world doors faster and with higher success rates than humans remotely controlling it. In tests, DoorMan completed door-opening tasks up to 31% faster than expert teleoperators and achieved an 83% success rate, outperforming both expert (80%) and non-expert (60%) human operators. This advancement represents significant progress in “loco-manipulation,” where robots must simultaneously walk, perceive, coordinate limbs, and manipulate objects. The DoorMan system employs a novel pixel-to-action training approach, relying solely on raw RGB input without specialized sensors like depth cameras or motion-capture markers. To overcome common reinforcement learning challenges, the researchers introduced a “staged-reset” mechanism
roboticshumanoid-robotreinforcement-learningNVIDIA-Isaac-Labrobotic-manipulationAI-roboticsdoor-opening-robotEngineAI releases raw humanoid robot demo after fake-video claims
Chinese robotics firm EngineAI faced widespread skepticism after unveiling its T800 humanoid robot in a dramatic launch video showcasing fluid, powerful movements such as breaking down doors and delivering swift kicks. Many viewers suspected the footage was computer-generated due to the stylized editing and lighting effects. To counter these claims, EngineAI released behind-the-scenes footage filmed in a plain studio without color grading or dramatic effects, demonstrating the robot performing the same actions with visible mechanical detail. The company attributes the robot’s realistic motions to its engineering specifications, including 450 newton-meters of joint torque and 29 degrees of freedom, emphasizing that the performance is driven by physical capabilities rather than digital enhancements. EngineAI’s experience reflects a broader trend in the humanoid robotics industry, where increasingly sophisticated robot motions and cinematic marketing have led to doubts about authenticity. Other Chinese firms like Xpeng and UBTECH Robotics have faced similar accusations and responded by releasing raw footage to prove their robots’ capabilities. These controversies highlight how humanoid robot movements,
roboticshumanoid-robotEngineAIrobot-demonstrationrobotics-technologymechanical-engineeringrobot-authenticityVideo: China firm unveils combat-ready humanoid robot fighter
China’s Shenzhen-based company EngineAI has introduced the T800, a full-scale humanoid robot designed for combat and dynamic physical demonstrations. Unveiled at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, the T800 stands 5.6 feet tall, weighs 165 pounds, and features 29 degrees of freedom plus highly dexterous hands. Built with aviation-grade aluminum and equipped with an active cooling system, it can sustain high-intensity operations for up to four hours. The robot incorporates advanced perception technologies like 360-degree LiDAR and stereo vision, and powerful joint motors capable of complex movements such as flying kicks and rapid directional changes. Its computing system combines an Intel N97 base unit with an NVIDIA AGX Orin module, delivering 275 TOPS of AI processing power, and supports secondary development with an integrated remote controller. Despite its impressive hardware and athletic capabilities, the T800’s software ecosystem remains unclear. EngineAI has not provided detailed information on software development kits, APIs, or programming tools
robothumanoid-robotroboticsAI-processinglithium-batteryaviation-grade-materialsautonomous-navigationChina’s alleged ‘spy robot’ seen near Indian border triggers debate
A viral video circulating on Indian social media shows a humanoid-like object near the India-China border, allegedly a Chinese “spy robot” deployed for patrolling duties along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The 34-second clip, reportedly filmed by Indian soldiers at high altitude, depicts a stationary upright figure resembling a robot, sparking widespread speculation about China’s use of advanced autonomous surveillance technology. However, neither Indian nor Chinese defense authorities have confirmed the object’s identity, and some experts and AI fact-checkers suggest the footage may be misattributed or show a fixed camera platform rather than a humanoid robot. The video’s emergence coincides with China’s recent public announcements about deploying humanoid robots for crowd control and border patrols, particularly by Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics. UBTech has signed contracts to deploy its industrial-grade Walker S2 robots starting December 2025 along the China-Vietnam border and in key industrial zones, where these robots will conduct inspections and reduce repetitive labor. While
robotsurveillance-robothumanoid-robotmilitary-roboticsautonomous-systemsborder-securityUBTech-RoboticsVideo: UK humanoid robot walks just 48 hours after final assembly
UK-based robotics firm Humanoid has developed the HMND 01 Alpha, a humanoid robot that achieved stable walking just 48 hours after final assembly, marking a significant acceleration in humanoid robot development. This rapid progress was enabled by precise digital design and extensive simulation-led training using Nvidia Isaac Sim and Isaac Lab, which condensed nearly 19 months of conventional training into two days. The robot stands 179 cm tall, features 29 degrees of freedom, supports a 15 kg bimanual payload, and is equipped with multiple sensors and onboard computing power from Nvidia Jetson Orin AGX and an Intel i9 processor. Designed for applications in manufacturing, logistics, and home assistance, the Alpha robot can perform complex movements such as walking, running, squatting, and recovering from external forces up to 350 Newtons. It also has object manipulation capabilities and can communicate through displays, audio, and LEDs. The KinetIQ reasoning framework enables advanced planning and interaction. Humanoid’s CEO Artem
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationassistive-roboticsAI-simulationNvidia-Jetsonbipedal-robotHumanoid says its first bipedal robot can start walking just 48 hours after assembly - The Robot Report
Humanoid, a London-based robotics company founded in 2024, has introduced its first humanoid bipedal robot, the HMND 01 Alpha Bipedal, developed from design to working prototype in just five months. Remarkably, the robot achieved stable walking within 48 hours after final assembly. Standing 179 cm tall with 29 degrees of freedom and a bimanual payload capacity of 15 kg, Alpha Bipedal is equipped with advanced sensors including six RGB cameras, depth sensors, a microphone array, and haptic and force sensors. Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin AGX and Intel i9 processors, it offers three hours of swappable battery life. The robot can perform a variety of movements such as walking on straight and curved paths, turning, sidestepping, squatting, hopping, running, and precise manipulation, and it can interact with people and coordinate with other robots. Humanoid utilized ultra-precise 3D modeling and NVIDIA’s Isaac Sim
roboticshumanoid-robotbipedal-robotAIautomationNVIDIA-Jetsonreinforcement-learningHow China’s hyper-realistic humanoid robot achieved its eerily human walk
XPENG’s hyper-realistic humanoid robot IRON gained widespread attention for its fluid, lifelike walking and gestures, prompting skepticism that it might be a person in a suit. To dispel doubts, an engineer publicly cut away part of its synthetic skin, revealing a metal frame and internal bionic components. Unlike other humanoid robots focused on strength or speed, IRON is designed with a “born-from-within” philosophy that replicates human anatomy through a bionic spine, artificial muscles, and soft synthetic skin. This approach emphasizes humanlike movement and appearance to create a robot that feels approachable and emotionally warm, rather than cold or mechanical. XPENG’s design philosophy centers on human-centric customization, offering potential buyers options for body types, gendered forms, and clothing, aiming to make the robot feel more personal and relatable. By carefully addressing the “uncanny valley” effect—where robots appear almost but not quite human and thus provoke discomfort—IRON uses familiar human proportions, flexible skin,
robothumanoid-robotXPENGartificial-musclessynthetic-skinbionic-spinehuman-like-movementVideo: Humanoid robot goes 'mountain-grade' while picking up litter
Flexion Robotics has released a demonstration video showcasing its humanoid robot equipped with a new autonomy framework that enables it to navigate challenging outdoor terrain and perform litter cleanup tasks independently, without prior training. The robot identifies scattered objects, picks them up, and deposits them into a trash bin, highlighting advances in real-world robotic autonomy. The company’s technology integrates reinforcement learning and sim-to-real transfer to train low-level motor skills in simulation, which are then executed reliably on physical robots. This approach addresses the scalability challenge of collecting real-world data for every possible scenario by combining core learned skills with high-level decision-making powered by large language and vision-language models. The system is structured as a three-layer modular hierarchy: at the top, a language or vision-language model handles task planning, common-sense reasoning, and breaking down goals into actionable steps; the middle layer generates safe, short-range motions based on perception and instructions; and the base layer uses reinforcement learning controllers to execute these motions robustly across different environments and robot
roboticshumanoid-robotreinforcement-learningrobot-autonomysim-to-real-transfermachine-learningrobotic-manipulationKR1 humanoid robot handles fragile, heavy loads safely in factories
Kinisi, a US robotics startup, has introduced the KR1, a next-generation autonomous humanoid robot designed for safe, precise handling of fragile and heavy loads in dynamic industrial environments such as warehouses and factories. Unveiled in July 2025, the KR1 features a dual-handed manipulation platform capable of lifting up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) with fine motor accuracy. Unlike traditional fixed automation, KR1 uses real-time 3D perception from fused cameras, LiDAR, and SLAM to navigate and operate safely alongside humans, moving at speeds up to 2.4 m/s with adaptive control for confined spaces. Its mobility is enhanced by a wheeled base and active suspension, allowing stable transport over uneven surfaces. The robot employs advanced AI and demonstration-based learning, enabling operators to teach tasks quickly without programming, while its onboard NVIDIA Jetson module runs real-time transformer models for perception and planning. KR1 operates autonomously without constant cloud connectivity, ensuring fast responses, data privacy,
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticsmobile-manipulationlithium-ion-batteryautonomous-robotNew humanoid robot head with sensory awareness, interactive ability
German semiconductor company Infineon Technologies AG and AI engineering firm HTEC have jointly unveiled a humanoid robotic head featuring 360-degree multi-sensory awareness at OktoberTech™ Silicon Valley 2025. The prototype integrates advanced sensing technologies—including Infineon’s XENSIV™ 60 GHz radar for spatial awareness, REAL3™ Time-of-Flight depth sensors, and XENSIV™ MEMS microphones for audio recognition—combined with onboard cameras and embedded AI software. This fusion enables the robot head to detect human presence, identify sound direction, orient itself accordingly, and analyze visual input, thereby creating a seamless, human-like perception of its environment. The project demonstrates how blending cutting-edge hardware with AI intelligence can push the boundaries of robotic perception and interaction. Built on standard embedded platforms, the system is designed for easy integration into various commercial and industrial robotics applications such as eldercare robots, autonomous delivery systems, smart home devices, and security robots. Although still a prototype, the humanoid head received
robotroboticsAIsensorshumanoid-robotIoTembedded-systemsTeleop, not autonomy, is the path for 1X’s Neo humanoid
1X Technologies’ NEO humanoid robot features an impressive design and demonstrates strong manipulation and teleoperation capabilities. Despite these strengths, the robot falls short of true autonomy, as it cannot independently complete complex household tasks from start to finish. For example, no humanoid, including NEO, has been shown performing the entire laundry process—emptying pockets, treating stains, sorting, washing, drying, folding, and putting clothes away—due to current technological limitations. The company’s demonstrations primarily consist of polished, scripted snippets that highlight specific skills but lack the reliability and comprehensiveness required for practical daily home use. This gap underscores that teleoperation, rather than full autonomy, remains the more viable approach for NEO’s current and near-term applications. The article suggests that while NEO is a significant step forward in humanoid robotics, fully autonomous household robots are still a work in progress.
robothumanoid-robotteleoperationrobotics-technologyautomationmanipulation-skillshousehold-robotsHumanoid robot surprises scientists by mastering key basketball skills
Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a humanoid robot, a Unitree G1 nicknamed “Little Potato,” capable of performing advanced basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, and executing a clean three-step layup. The robot’s fluid and stable movements result from SkillMimic, an AI framework that learns from human demonstrations captured via video and motion-tracking suits. SkillMimic refines these movements through extensive virtual training, enabling the robot to switch smoothly between multiple skills—even transitions not explicitly shown in the training data. During demonstrations, the robot displayed impressive balance and adaptability, quickly recovering after a blocked layup attempt. SkillMimic-V2 addresses key challenges in reinforcement learning from imperfect human motion data by employing three innovations: the Stitched Trajectory Graph (STG) connects similar body positions across different skills to create new transition paths; the State Transition Field (STF) trains the robot to recover from errors by starting
robothumanoid-robotAIreinforcement-learningroboticsSkillMimicrobot-basketball-skills'World's most powerful humanoid robot' aces backflip like parkour pro
Chinese robotics company PHYBOT has unveiled its new full-sized electric humanoid robot, the M1, which demonstrated impressive acrobatic ability by performing a standing backflip and nearly executing a perfect superman landing in a single take. PHYBOT markets the M1 as the "most powerful humanoid robot ever created," emphasizing its high torque density as a key advantage over competitors. Standing 172 cm tall and weighing under 60 kg, the M1 is equipped with a 72-volt power system, Jetson Orin and Intel Core i7 processors, and sensors including 3D LiDAR, stereo cameras, and an IMU for balance and environmental awareness. The robot can produce bursts of over 10 kilowatts of power, enabling dynamic movements, and its peak joint torque reaches 530 N·m. Designed for real-world applications beyond demonstrations, the M1 can lift 10 to 20 kilograms with its arms and carry over 50 kilograms using a backpack system. It offers
robothumanoid-robotroboticselectric-robothigh-torque-densitysensorsAI-powered-robotMagicBot Z1 robot nails spin kicks, dodges arrow with a side flip
Chinese robotics company MagicLab has showcased its humanoid robot, MagicBot Z1, demonstrating remarkable agility and control in a series of recent videos. The 1.4-meter-tall, 40-kg robot performed complex maneuvers such as backflips, spin kicks, and even dodged an arrow with a side flip, highlighting its advanced balance, locomotion, and motion control capabilities. Equipped with up to 50 degrees of freedom, high-torque smart joints, and a comprehensive sensor suite including 3D LiDAR and depth cameras, the Z1 is designed for industrial, commercial, and companion applications. It can walk at speeds up to 2.5 m/s, climb obstacles up to 15 cm, and supports natural human-robot interaction through voice and gesture recognition. While MagicBot Z1 shows promising engineering progress, it remains in an earlier stage of commercialization compared to competitors like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and UBTech’s Walker S2, which have begun pilot deployments
roboticshumanoid-robotMagicBot-Z1industrial-robotsrobot-agilitysmart-jointsrobot-sensorsVideo: Clone demos creepy humanoid hand with human-level grip strength and speed
Polish robotics company Clone Robotics has demonstrated a highly advanced anthropomorphic robotic hand controlled by their new Neural Joint V2 Controller. The hand features 27 degrees of freedom and achieves human-level grip strength and speed, closely mirroring natural finger movements with minimal latency. Unlike earlier versions that used hardcoded controls, the V2 Controller employs a neural network trained on extensive human hand motion data, enabling it to interpret and replicate complex, fast, and unpredictable movements in real time. The hand’s design incorporates carbon-fiber bones and ligament-style tethers with synthetic water-powered artificial muscles called Myofibers, which generate up to 1 kilogram of grip force and have demonstrated exceptional durability through 650,000 test cycles without fatigue. This robotic hand is a critical component of Clone Robotics’ broader Clone Alpha project, which aims to create a biomimetic humanoid robot with natural human-like motion. The Alpha robot integrates a polymer skeleton, Myofiber muscles, and a compact hydraulic vascular system to replicate human
roboticshumanoid-robotrobotic-handneural-network-controlartificial-musclesanthropomorphic-roboticselectro-hydraulic-actuatorsTeleop, not autonomy, is the path for 1X’s Neo humanoid
1X Technologies’ NEO humanoid robot boasts an impressive design and strong teleoperation capabilities but currently falls short of achieving full autonomy, especially in complex household tasks like laundry or cleaning. Such chores remain beyond reach due to the unpredictable, cluttered, and highly variable nature of home environments, which pose significant challenges for robots—particularly humanoids with legs. While humanoid robots are beginning to find practical applications in structured industrial settings, the home remains a difficult environment for autonomous operation. Demonstrations of NEO’s abilities are limited to scripted, partial tasks rather than reliable, end-to-end autonomous performance. The article argues that instead of focusing solely on autonomy, 1X should leverage teleoperation as a practical and transformative path forward. By positioning NEO as a remotely operated platform, humans could provide the cognitive control while the robot acts as a physical proxy, enabling services like remote cleaning or eldercare. Although teleoperation raises privacy concerns due to cameras and sensors in private spaces, transparency, operator anonymity,
robothumanoid-robotteleoperationremote-controlhome-automationrobotics-technologyprivacy-concernsVideo: ‘Hardest working’ US humanoid robot moves 100,000 totes in warehouse milestone
Agility Robotics, an Oregon-based company, announced that its humanoid robot Digit has moved over 100,000 totes during live operations at a GXO Logistics warehouse in Flowery Branch, Georgia. This milestone marks a significant advancement in demonstrating the practical, high-volume industrial capabilities of humanoid robots beyond polished demos. Digit’s role involves transferring inventory from autonomous mobile robots to conveyors, performing “last meter” tasks that require human-like dexterity—work that complements the strengths of AMRs and fixed robotic arms. This achievement positions Agility Robotics as a leader in industrial validation of humanoid robots, especially as part of GXO’s broader initiative to test a humanoid workforce alongside other robotics providers. The milestone also highlights the competitive landscape, with rival company Figure recently reporting its fleet handled about 90,000 sheet-metal parts, placing Agility slightly ahead in real-world output. Agility emphasizes the importance of repetition, consistency, and safety in live warehouse environments, showcasing Digit’s ability to operate reliably across
robothumanoid-robotwarehouse-automationlogistics-roboticsindustrial-robotsAgility-Roboticsautomation-technologyChina’s humanoid robot sets Guinness World Record with 65-mile nonstop trek
China’s humanoid robot AgiBot A2 set a new Guinness World Record by completing a nonstop 65-mile (106.286 km) trek from Suzhou’s Jinji Lake to Shanghai’s Bund between November 10 and 13. This achievement marks the longest journey walked by a humanoid robot, accomplished without powering off thanks to its hot-swappable battery system. The walk demonstrated the robot’s endurance, hardware durability, balanced control, and overall reliability, highlighting its readiness for commercial deployment. The AgiBot A2 stands 5.74 feet tall, weighs 55 kg, and is equipped with AI-powered sensing capabilities that enable it to process text, audio, and visual data, as well as perform fine-motor tasks like threading a needle. During the journey, the robot navigated diverse terrains—including urban roads, highways, bridges, and slopes—while complying with traffic regulations. It used dual GPS, LIDAR, and infrared depth cameras for precise navigation under varying light conditions
roboticshumanoid-robotAIbattery-technologynavigation-systemsAgiBotrobotics-enduranceVideo: New household humanoid robot trained on 10 million chores unveiled in US
Sunday, a Mountain View startup founded by Stanford-trained roboticists Tony Zhao and Cheng Chi, has unveiled Memo, a household robot designed to assist with everyday chores by learning directly from real-world domestic behavior. Unlike many home robots trained in controlled lab settings or industrial environments, Memo’s development is grounded in an extensive dataset collected from over 500 households using Sunday’s patented Skill Capture Glove. This wearable device recorded nearly 10 million episodes of actual household routines, enabling Memo to perform complex, multi-step tasks such as clearing tables, running dishwashers, folding laundry, sorting shoes, and brewing espresso—activities that typically challenge robots trained only in structured environments. Memo’s design emphasizes stability and approachability over humanoid realism. It features a wheeled base for mobility and balance, a central column that adjusts torso height, two arms, and a soft, silicone-clad exterior with a retro-futuristic look reminiscent of Baymax from Big Hero 6. This design prioritizes safety and blending into home
robothousehold-robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticshome-automationrobotic-choreswearable-data-collectionWatch: German firm launches new humanoid robot for industrial jobs
Munich-based Agile Robots has introduced Agile ONE, its first humanoid robot designed for industrial environments. Announced on November 19, Agile ONE features five dexterous fingers equipped with fingertip and force-torque sensors, enabling it to perform a wide range of factory tasks such as material handling, pick-and-place, machine tending, and fine manipulation with high precision and adaptability. The robot’s AI is trained on one of Europe’s largest real-world industrial datasets, supplemented by simulated and human-collected data, and employs a layered cognitive architecture that separates strategic planning, rapid response, and fine motor control. This design aims to create a highly adaptive robot capable of safe, collaborative work alongside humans and existing robotic systems. Agile ONE emphasizes human-friendly interaction through features like bright colors, responsive eyes, proximity sensors, and an information display on its chest, prioritizing safety and comfort in robot-human interaction. Full production is slated to begin in early 2026 at Agile Robots’ facility in Bavaria. The
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticscollaborative-robotsdexterous-robotic-handsphysical-AIAgile Robots launches Agile ONE industrial humanoid - The Robot Report
Agile Robots SE, a Munich-based company, has launched Agile ONE, its first industrial humanoid robot designed to work safely and efficiently alongside humans and other systems in structured industrial environments. Agile ONE features intuitive human-robot interaction (HRI) capabilities, including responsive eye rings, proximity sensors, a rearview camera, and a chest display for real-time information. Its dexterous five-fingered hands, equipped with multiple sensors for force and tactile feedback, enable precise manipulation tasks such as handling tiny screws or operating power tools. The robot embodies Agile Robots’ vision of “physical AI,” combining intelligence, autonomy, and flexibility to perceive, understand, and act in the physical world. A key differentiator for Agile ONE is its layered AI approach, described as a “data pyramid” that integrates real-world teleoperation and field data, physical simulation data, and visual data from videos and images. Its cognitive architecture includes three layers: slow thinking for task planning, fast thinking for dynamic individual actions,
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticshuman-robot-interactionrobotic-handautonomous-robotsVideo: Russian airline tests humanoid robot as in-flight attendant
Russian airline Pobeda has become the first in the world to deploy a humanoid robot, named "Volodya," as part of its in-flight cabin crew on the Ulyanovsk-Moscow route. During the trial flight on November 12, Volodya greeted passengers, delivered safety instructions, and interacted with travelers, enhancing the passenger experience despite not serving food or beverages. The robot, resembling a Unitree G1 model, demonstrated reinforcement learning technology by mimicking flight attendant actions, drawing significant interest from passengers who took photos with it. However, the introduction of humanoid robots in aviation has sparked mixed reactions. Some social media users expressed concerns about robots potentially replacing human jobs and questioned the necessity of such automation. Others humorously highlighted risks if the robot malfunctioned during flight. Despite these concerns, other airlines like Qatar Airways are also exploring humanoid robots equipped with conversational AI to assist passengers, while manufacturers such as Hyundai and Kia are developing wearable robots for aviation assembly and maintenance. The
robothumanoid-robotaviation-technologyAIautomationhuman-robot-collaborationairline-innovationUnitree's new wheeled humanoid robot can work for 6 hours nonstop
Unitree Robotics, a Chinese robotics company, has introduced the G1-D, its first wheeled humanoid robot designed for fast, repetitive tasks in industrial, warehouse, service, and retail environments. The G1-D comes in two versions: a stationary Standard model and a mobile Flagship model that moves on a wheeled base at speeds up to 1.5 meters per second (5 feet per second). Standing between 49.5 and 66 inches tall and weighing up to 176 pounds, the robot features advanced dexterity with up to 19 degrees of freedom and arms capable of carrying up to 6.6 pounds. It is equipped with high-definition binocular cameras and wrist-mounted cameras, supporting various end effectors such as two-finger grippers, three-finger manipulators, and a five-finger dexterous hand to handle diverse tasks. The Flagship G1-D model is powered by an Nvidia Jetson Orin NX module delivering up to 100 TOPS
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-roboticsindustrial-automationwarehouse-roboticsAI-model-trainingautonomous-robotChina's Gen Z inventor aims to build the 'Android' of humanoid robots
In April 2025, Beijing-based startup RoboParty, founded by Huang Yi—one of China’s youngest humanoid-robot entrepreneurs—officially launched with the goal of creating a fully open-source bipedal humanoid robot platform. Huang, born in 2004, initially gained attention for building “AlexBot,” a walking humanoid robot developed on a modest budget during his first year at Harbin Institute of Technology. After releasing an upgraded version, “AlexBotmini,” and graduating early, he shifted focus to RoboParty’s flagship project, the “ATOM” robot, which aims to be China’s first fully open-source humanoid robot platform. Huang advocates that an open-source approach accelerates ecosystem development by promoting shared standards, reducing collaboration barriers, and enhancing security and global competitiveness. RoboParty’s launch aligns with a broader national push by Chinese authorities to advance robotics, AI, and humanoid technologies as strategic priorities. Significant government-backed funding initiatives were announced in early 2025,
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-roboticsAIrobotics-fundingChina-technologyRoboPartyRussia's first humanoid robot falls flat on its face during stage debut
Russia’s first AI-powered humanoid robot, named AIdol, experienced a highly publicized malfunction during its debut at a technology forum in Moscow, where it fell face-first on stage. Developed by the Russian robotics company Idol, AIdol was designed to showcase Russia’s advancements in AI and robotics through lifelike movement, gesture control, and the ability to interpret visual data and interact with people. The fall, caused by a calibration error in its balance and motion control algorithms, highlighted the challenges still facing early humanoid robot models in maintaining stability. Despite the setback, Idol’s CEO Vladimir Vitukhin framed the incident as a learning opportunity, emphasizing ongoing efforts to refine the robot’s control systems ahead of future demonstrations. AIdol is notable for being composed of 77 percent domestically produced components, a significant achievement given Western sanctions limiting Russia’s access to advanced imports, with plans to increase this to 93 percent. The robot features a silicone face powered by 19 servomotors,
roboticshumanoid-robotAIautomationmotion-controlrobotics-technologysynthetic-skinFrance's new humanoid enters the nuclear zone to take the heat
France has introduced Hoxo, an AI-powered humanoid robot developed by Capgemini and Orano, to enhance safety and operational efficiency within nuclear power plants. Launched at the Orano Melox facility in Gard, Hoxo integrates advanced robotics, AI computer vision, embedded sensors, and autonomous navigation to assist human operators in hazardous and complex technical tasks. The robot replicates human movements and uses real-time perception systems, aiming to redefine human-machine collaboration and push the boundaries of industrial automation in sensitive nuclear environments. Hoxo represents a significant technological advancement by combining robotics, AI, computer vision, and digital twins to tackle some of the most demanding challenges in nuclear operations. The project underscores the nuclear industry's ongoing commitment to innovation and automation, especially as it faces increasing pressure to maintain high safety standards while improving efficiency amid global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The current testing phase at the Melox facility will evaluate Hoxo’s effectiveness in supporting daily nuclear plant operations, with the potential to transform industrial performance and safety in
robotAIhumanoid-robotnuclear-energyindustrial-automationcomputer-visionhuman-machine-collaborationIs Musk Conceding Ground? And Does XPENG's IRON Signal China's Lead in the Humanoid Robot Race? - CleanTechnica
The article highlights a notable moment in the humanoid robot race, marked by Elon Musk’s rare public acknowledgment of competition from Chinese EV maker XPENG. Following XPENG’s unveiling of its next-generation IRON humanoid robot, Musk privately remarked that Tesla and Chinese companies will dominate the market, while Western companies lag behind. This exchange underscores a shifting competitive landscape where the contest is primarily between American and Chinese tech giants, moving beyond the traditional Silicon Valley-centric view. XPENG’s CEO He Xiaopeng emphasized the significance of their achievement, framing the IRON robot’s mastery of a catwalk as definitive proof of China’s leadership in humanoid robotics. XPENG’s IRON robot distinguishes itself through a sophisticated “bone–muscle–skin” design that closely mimics human anatomy, featuring a flexible spine, bionic muscles, and customizable synthetic skin. It boasts 82 degrees of freedom, including highly articulated hands with 22 degrees of freedom each, enabling delicate manipulation and interaction with human-centric environments
robothumanoid-robotXPENGsolid-state-batteryrobotics-technologyartificial-intelligenceTeslaIRON: Xpeng's humanoid robot uses solid-state battery for long life
At the 2025 AI Day in Guangzhou, Chinese company Xpeng unveiled the second-generation IRON humanoid robot, featuring significant upgrades in movement, control, and balance to mimic human behavior in dynamic environments. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 154 pounds, IRON combines advanced software with flexible mechanics, including 62 active joints and synthetic muscles modeled after the human spine, enabling fluid, natural motions such as walking, twisting, and balancing on uneven surfaces. Its curved head display forms an expressive face, while a lightweight all-solid-state battery provides long-lasting, safe energy without overheating. Powered by three Turing AI chips capable of 2,250 trillion operations per second, IRON integrates Xpeng’s Vision-Language-Action (VLA) system to instantly analyze visual and auditory inputs and respond appropriately. This allows the robot to perform tasks like answering questions, folding laundry, and guiding visitors. Its walking ability, trained on thousands of hours of human gait data, enables it
robothumanoid-robotsolid-state-batteryAI-chipssynthetic-musclesroboticsenergy-storageHumanoid robot chef flings stir-fry across kitchen in viral fail
The article discusses a viral video featuring Unitree Robotics’s humanoid robot, the G1, attempting to perform cooking tasks but failing comically by flinging stir-fry across a kitchen. The clip, shared by YouTuber Cody Detwiler on his "WhistlinDiesel" channel, shows the robot wrestling a frying pan away from him, then spilling food and slipping on the mess before falling. Another clip shows the G1 breaking a glass door and colliding with camera equipment, highlighting its lack of fine motor control and speed regulation. These videos have sparked widespread amusement and discussion about the robot’s current capabilities. Designed primarily for industrial and research applications, the Unitree G1 has been adapted for household use but still struggles with tasks requiring precision. A similar incident earlier in 2025 involved a Chinese influencer who assigned the robot simple cooking and cleaning duties, which also resulted in collisions and unsatisfactory performance. Despite its advanced hardware—such as 23 degrees of freedom, 3
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-G1roboticsartificial-intelligencekitchen-automationrobot-perception-systemsHumanoid robot aces real-world bin-picking test in German factory
Humanoid, a UK-based robotics and AI company, successfully completed a proof of concept (POC) with German engineering firm Schaeffler, demonstrating its pre-alpha humanoid robot's ability to perform real-world industrial bin-picking tasks. Conducted at Schaeffler’s Erlangen facility, the robot efficiently picked metallic bearing rings from bins, transferred them to a buffer table, and moved between workstations using parallel grippers in a production-like environment. This test highlighted the robot’s mobility, adaptability, and AI-driven precision, outperforming traditional automation systems like robotic arms and cobots, which often face efficiency and ROI challenges in similar tasks. The POC exceeded expectations by showing rapid skill training, on-site performance adjustments, and successful application of lab-developed models with minimal modifications. Humanoid prepared for the trial by creating a physical twin setup for teleoperation-based training, fine-tuning a Vision-Language-Action model, and integrating built-in sensors and cameras to reduce installation time. Both
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticsbin-pickingmanufacturing-technologyfactory-automationKeenon deploys ‘world’s first’ humanoid service robot at Shangri-La
Keenon Robotics has introduced the XMAN-R1, described as the world’s first humanoid service robot butler, at the Shangri-La Traders Hotel located in Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. This deployment marks the hotel as the first globally to implement a collaborative service model combining both humanoid and special-purpose robots to handle various hospitality tasks. The XMAN-R1 serves as a front-desk greeter capable of natural language interaction, guest engagement, and offering welcome gifts, creating an immersive and futuristic guest experience. Supporting robots handle specific functions such as in-room delivery, luggage transport, cleaning, and restaurant food delivery, collectively enhancing operational efficiency and service consistency. At the core of XMAN-R1’s capabilities is Keenon’s KOM2.0, the first Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model tailored for the service industry, which integrates vision, speech, and movement to interpret human intentions and respond contextually in real time. Additionally, Keenon employs KEENON ProS
robothumanoid-robotservice-robotroboticsartificial-intelligencehospitality-technologyKeenon-RoboticsNEO humanoid designed for household use, available for preorder - The Robot Report
1X Technologies AS has opened pre-orders for its NEO humanoid robot, designed specifically for household use, with deliveries expected in 2026. The company shifted its focus exclusively to the in-home consumer market in August 2024, aiming to automate everyday chores and provide personalized assistance to help users save time. NEO is built with user-friendly, intuitive features and prioritizes safety through its patented Tendon Drive actuation system, which enables compliant and secure movements around people. The robot’s hardware builds on earlier models, NEO Gamma and NEO Beta, emphasizing safe operation in domestic environments. NEO incorporates advanced AI capabilities, including speech recognition via its “Audio Intelligence” interface, allowing it to respond appropriately to verbal commands. It also uses “Visual Intelligence” for contextual awareness, such as recognizing kitchen ingredients to suggest recipes, and has memory functions to maintain conversational continuity and adapt over time. The robot can assist with tasks like scheduling, reminders, grocery lists, and language learning progress. Import
robothumanoid-robothome-automationartificial-intelligenceroboticsspeech-recognitionconsumer-technologyUS firm unveils wheeled humanoid robot with 4-camera vision system
Richtech Robotics has introduced Dex, its first mobile humanoid robot tailored for industrial use, showcased at GTC 2025 in Washington DC. Powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor and featuring a four-camera vision system, Dex is designed to combine speed, safety, and precision in tasks such as operating manufacturing machines, sorting parts, material handling, quality inspection, and packaging. It comes in two versions: a stationary platform for continuous high-precision work and a mobile platform equipped with wheels for agile movement, boasting a battery life of four hours and a payload capacity of 11 pounds per arm. Dex’s design integrates Richtech’s experience from over 450 robot deployments, merging autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology with dual-arm dexterity. The robot learns tasks through a "Sim2Real" approach, using NVIDIA Isaac Sim to train in virtual environments before real-world application, enhancing deployment speed, safety, and scalability. Unlike typical humanoids with legs, Dex’s wheeled mobility prioritizes operational efficiency
robothumanoid-robotautonomous-mobile-robotNVIDIA-Jetson-Thorrobotics-simulationindustrial-automationmachine-visionWatch: NEO humanoid robot does your chores and learns new skills
The article introduces NEO, a humanoid robot developed by robotics firm 1X, designed to automate household chores and provide personal assistance. Weighing 66 pounds and operating quietly at 22 decibels, NEO can fold laundry, tidy rooms, open doors, fetch items, and switch off lights. It features a patented Tendon Drive system with high-torque density motors, enabling natural and gentle movements safe for home environments. NEO is equipped with advanced AI, including a built-in large language model (LLM) for conversational interaction, Audio and Visual Intelligence for contextual awareness, and Memory to retain information across interactions, making it a learning companion that adapts over time. NEO’s core functionality centers on its Chores feature, allowing users to assign and schedule tasks via voice or app commands. For unfamiliar tasks, users can connect with 1X Experts to train the robot, enhancing its capabilities. The robot supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G connectivity and includes
robothumanoid-robotAI-assistanthome-automationroboticssmart-homemachine-learningLimX Dynamics' Oli humanoid robot performs autonomous get-up routine
LimX Dynamics has demonstrated a significant advancement in humanoid robotics with its Oli robot performing an autonomous get-up routine. In a video released on October 23, two Oli humanoids were shown lying down and then rising back to a standing position in a human-like manner, using coordinated movements involving their legs and hip joints. This demonstration highlights Oli’s ability to execute complex, joint-level motions autonomously, supported by its modular design and software development kit (SDK), aimed at researchers and integrators to accelerate humanoid system development. Oli stands 165 cm tall, weighs 55 kg, and features 31 degrees of freedom, enabling detailed movements such as bending, reaching, and grasping. Equipped with 3D cameras, LiDAR, and motion sensors, it can perceive its environment and interact with small objects. The robot supports popular simulation platforms like Python, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, and Gazebo, with software updates delivered over-the-air. Available in Lite, EDU, and Super versions, Oli
roboticshumanoid-robotautonomous-robotsLimX-Dynamicsrobot-control-systemsrobot-sensorsrobot-simulation-platformsChina’s humanoid robot pulls 3,086-pound car with power and control
Researchers at the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) have demonstrated a humanoid robot, the Unitree G1, pulling a car weighing 3,086 pounds (1,400 kg) across a flat surface. Despite the robot’s relatively light weight of 77 pounds (35 kg) and height of 132 cm (4.3 ft), it maintained balance and control using advanced AI-powered dynamic stability. The footage shows the robot adjusting its posture, crouching to exert force much like a human, to overcome initial traction challenges. This achievement builds on previous Unitree G1 capabilities such as walking, jumping, and backflips, indicating progress toward humanoids capable of operating in complex, industrial, or service environments. The demonstration received mixed reactions online, with some praising the robot’s strength and others questioning the authenticity and practical significance of the feat. Skeptics pointed out factors like the coefficient of friction, the presence of a driver inside the car potentially assisting the pull, and the
roboticshumanoid-robotartificial-intelligencerobotic-strengthUnitree-G1robotics-researchBeijing-Academy-of-Artificial-IntelligenceHow China built a humanoid robot for the price of an iPhone
Chinese startup Noetix Robotics has developed Bumi, a humanoid robot priced at approximately US$1,380—comparable to a high-end smartphone like the iPhone 17 Pro Max—marking a significant departure from the typically exorbitant costs of humanoid robots, which often exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Following a successful RMB 300 million (US$41 million) pre-B funding round, Noetix quickly sold over 100 units within the first hour and 500 within two days on JD.com, highlighting strong market demand. Bumi stands 94 centimeters tall and is designed primarily as a social companion and educational platform rather than for industrial or full household automation purposes. Noetix achieved this affordability through three key strategies: vertical integration by designing critical hardware components like control boards and motor drivers in-house to reduce costs and optimize performance; structural redesign using lightweight composite materials with minimal metal reinforcement to reduce weight to 12 kilograms, enabling smaller motors and batteries; and sourcing nearly all
roboticshumanoid-robotaffordable-roboticsChina-technologyin-house-hardware-designcomposite-materialssupply-chain-integrationThe Stupidest Thing Elon Musk Said This Week - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critiques a statement made by Elon Musk during Tesla’s recent shareholder conference call, where Musk claimed that Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, could help create a world without poverty by providing everyone access to exceptional medical care, including surgical capabilities. The author strongly disputes this notion, emphasizing that poverty is fundamentally a social and political issue rather than a technological one. They argue that a humanoid robot, which is still far from being capable of performing surgery or being widely available, especially at an estimated future cost of $20,000 to $25,000, is unlikely to address poverty or healthcare access meaningfully. The article further contextualizes Musk’s claim within broader societal issues, noting the current economic inequality in the United States, described as a "second Gilded Age," where wealth concentration and systemic rigging by powerful interests exacerbate poverty. It references economist Robert Reich’s commentary on the growing CEO-to-worker pay ratio and the failure of trickle-down economics to alleviate
robothumanoid-robotTesla-OptimusElon-Muskrobotics-technologyautomationAI-surgeryChina unveils ‘world’s first' high-performance humanoid under $1,400
China-based startup Noetix Robotics has introduced Bumi, a compact humanoid robot priced at approximately $1,370 (¥9,998), marking it as the world’s cheapest consumer-grade humanoid robot. Standing 3.1 feet (94 cm) tall and weighing 26.5 pounds (12 kg), Bumi is designed primarily for educational and home use rather than competing with larger, high-performance humanoids. Despite its small size and affordability, Bumi demonstrates impressive capabilities such as walking, balancing, and dancing with stability and fluidity, supported by lightweight composite materials, an in-house motion control system, and a modular design. It runs on a 48V battery offering 1-2 hours of operation and supports drag-and-drop graphical programming and voice interaction, making it suitable as both a learning companion and personal assistant. Noetix Robotics, founded in 2023 by a team from Tsinghua and Zhejiang Universities, has rapidly transitioned from research-focused robots to mass-market
robothumanoid-robotroboticsaffordable-roboticseducational-technologybattery-powered-robotmotion-control-systemReal Star Wars battle droid? Phantom MK-1 robot brings sci-fi to war
The Phantom MK-1, developed by San Francisco-based robotics company Foundation, is potentially the world’s first humanoid robot explicitly designed for military use. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, it can carry loads up to 44 pounds and is intended primarily for ground operations such as reconnaissance and bomb disposal. Unlike many robotics firms that avoid weaponizing their technology, Foundation aims to produce 10,000 units by next year, with the robots operating under human supervision to maintain ethical control over critical decisions like firing weapons. The company emphasizes durability and ruggedness to ensure the robot can withstand harsh battlefield conditions. This development marks a new frontier in military robotics, moving beyond the current widespread use of AI-enabled drones and automated systems for target acquisition and strike support, as seen in conflicts like the Russia–Ukraine war. Foundation’s CEO, Sankaet Pathak, envisions a future where humanoid robots are the first deployed on battlefields, with humans following if necessary. The
robothumanoid-robotmilitary-roboticsAI-in-defenseautonomous-systemsbattlefield-technologyrobotic-soldierChina's humanoid robot takes over presentation, car salesperson gig
China’s automaker Chery, in collaboration with AiMOGA Robotics, unveiled Mornine, a humanoid robot designed to integrate automotive technology with embodied intelligence. At the AiMOGA Global Business Conference in Wuhu, China, Mornine delivered a 30-minute multilingual presentation on robotics and automotive innovations, acted as an autonomous car sales assistant by greeting visitors, explaining car features, and even opening a car door—making it the world’s first humanoid robot to do so autonomously. Mornine’s capabilities stem from advanced technologies including full-body motion control, reinforcement learning, and a multilingual AI model called MoNet, enabling it to perceive, plan, and interact naturally with humans using vision-language understanding and semantic reasoning. Powered by AiMOGA’s L3 Assistance Level framework, Mornine features high-torque joints and dexterous hands with 17 degrees of freedom, allowing smooth and precise movements. The robot’s AI adapts its gestures and tone based on visitor reactions,
robothumanoid-robotAIautonomous-systemsautomotive-technologyreinforcement-learninghuman-robot-interactionUnitree unveils H2 humanoid robot with lifelike dance and combat moves
Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company often compared to Boston Dynamics, has unveiled its latest humanoid robot, the Unitree H2, in a promotional video released on October 20, 2025. Standing 5.9 feet tall and weighing 154 pounds, the H2 is the company’s most advanced humanoid to date, capable of performing complex, humanlike movements such as ballet spins, dance routines, and kickboxing maneuvers. The robot also demonstrated its ability to walk confidently alongside a human model on a fashion runway. Featuring a stylized silver human face with defined eyes, lips, and nose, the H2 closely mimics human expressions and boasts 31 degrees of freedom, enhancing its flexibility, joint control, and mechanical balance. Building on the success of its predecessor, the H1, which gained fame for its sprinting speed and spatial awareness during China’s 2024 Spring Festival Gala and won gold medals at the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, the
roboticshumanoid-robotUnitree-Roboticsbipedal-robotrobot-dancerobot-combatrobot-technologyAgibot unveils world-first humanoid robot with cross-shaped wrist arm
The Agibot G2 is a next-generation humanoid robot launched by China’s Agibot, designed for industrial and commercial applications such as factory production, logistics, and guided tours. It features a unique world-first cross-shaped wrist arm with high-precision torque sensors that enable real-time force detection and smooth, natural movements, demonstrated by its ability to handle delicate objects like raw eggs. The robot also boasts a human-like 3-degree-of-freedom waist for bending and twisting, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, and a dual-battery hot-swappable system with autonomous charging for continuous 24/7 operation. Beyond hardware, the G2 integrates advanced AI through proprietary large models GO-1 and GE-1, enabling adaptive, interactive task execution rather than simple pre-programmed actions. GO-1’s three-layer brain architecture supports perception, planning, and execution from a single command, while GE-1 adds predictive rehearsal capabilities for complex operations. Powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Thor T500
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-robotAI-integrationforce-controlled-armautonomous-operationmotion-systemsChina's humanoid robot performs stunning stretch routine in new demo
China’s robotics company LimX Dynamics has released a new video showcasing its full-size humanoid robot, Oli, performing a highly flexible and human-like full-body stretch routine. Standing about 5.4 feet tall with 31 degrees of freedom, the two Oli robots in the video demonstrate exceptional balance, coordination, and joint articulation through synchronized movements such as torso tilts, knee and ankle flexing, leg lifts, twists, and even a suspended split-like exercise. The routine highlights the robot’s fluid motion and precise control, emphasizing its advanced joint flexibility and stability. Launched in July 2025 and featured at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, Oli is equipped with dual Intel RealSense depth cameras, a 6-axis IMU, and a modular software development kit supporting Python. Designed as a platform for developers and researchers, Oli aims to push the boundaries of embodied AI and motion research, with potential applications in logistics, assembly lines, and fulfillment centers. LimX Dynamics positions Oli as a key
robothumanoid-robotroboticsAImotion-controljoint-articulationLimX-DynamicsUpcoming 'Yogi' humanoid robot to focus on human connections
Cartwheel Robotics is developing a humanoid robot named Yogi, designed primarily to foster genuine human connections and serve as a friendly, emotionally intelligent companion in homes and workplaces. Unlike many other robotics firms focusing on factory automation—such as Tesla’s Optimus robot—Cartwheel emphasizes natural movement, safety, and approachability. Yogi is constructed with medical-grade silicone and soft protective materials, features modular swappable batteries for extended operation, and incorporates precision-engineered actuators with overload protection. The robot aims to assist with light household tasks while maintaining intuitive and reliable interactions, reflecting Cartwheel’s goal to integrate humanoid AI into everyday life by enhancing how people live, work, and care for one another. Humanoid Global Holdings Corp., Cartwheel’s parent investment company, highlighted that Yogi is built on a proprietary full-stack humanoid platform combining custom hardware, AI models, motion systems, and software. Cartwheel is expanding operations with a new facility in Reno, Nevada, set to open in January
robothumanoid-robotAIhome-automationrobotics-technologyhuman-robot-interactionbattery-technologyChina builds humanoid robot with realistic eye movements, bionic skin
China’s AheadForm Technology has developed a highly advanced humanoid robot named Elf V1, featuring lifelike bionic skin and realistic eye movements designed for natural daily interactions. The robot integrates 30 facial muscles controlled by brushless micro-motors and a high-precision control system, enabling expressive facial features, synchronized speech, and the ability to convey emotions and interpret human non-verbal cues. This design aims to overcome the “uncanny valley” effect, making interactions with humans more natural and engaging. Powered by self-supervised AI algorithms and enhanced with Large Language Models (LLMs) and Vision-Language Models (VLMs), Elf V1 can perceive its environment, communicate intelligently, and adapt in real-time to human emotions and behaviors. AheadForm envisions these robots providing assistance, companionship, and support across various industries, bridging the gap between humans and machines. The company’s previous Lan Series offered more cost-efficient humanoids with 10 degrees of freedom, while Elf V1 represents a
roboticshumanoid-robotbionic-skinAI-roboticshuman-robot-interactionadvanced-control-systemsemotion-recognitionWorld’s first humanoid robot walks carrying drone that drives, flies
Caltech, in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, has developed the world’s first multi-robot system called the X1 System, which integrates a humanoid robot with a transforming drone capable of walking, flying, and driving. This innovative system combines a modified Unitree G1 humanoid robot that can carry heavy loads with the M4 multimodal robot, which can be deployed from the humanoid’s back to fly over obstacles or transform into a wheeled vehicle for driving. The X1 System is designed to autonomously navigate complex terrains and perform real-world missions such as emergency response and urban navigation without human control. The development involved multiple teams, including Caltech’s Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), TII, and Northeastern University, focusing on locomotion control, autonomy, onboard computing, and morphing mechanics. During a demonstration at Caltech’s Pasadena campus, the humanoid robot successfully launched the M4 drone, which flew over obstacles,
robothumanoid-robotdrone-technologyautonomous-systemsmulti-robot-systemrobotics-innovationCaltech-roboticsUnitree's humanoid robot wows with crazy Kung-fu moves, backflips
Unitree Robotics recently released a video showcasing its G1 humanoid robot performing advanced KungFu moves, including high kicks, spins, punches, one-legged balances, rapid kicks, low sweeps, somersaults, aerial twists, and backflips. The 45-second clip, titled “KungFu Kid V6.0,” demonstrates the robot’s agility, balance, and speed without any video speed-ups. The G1 uses its hands to maintain stability during complex maneuvers and lands smoothly after each move, highlighting significant improvements in its physical capabilities. Despite the impressive martial arts display, some viewers have expressed concerns about the robot’s practical utility in everyday life, questioning its usefulness beyond entertainment and research demonstrations. Unitree positions the G1 primarily as a research and educational platform targeted at universities, robotics enthusiasts, and industrial applications such as factories and warehouses. Priced at $21,500, the G1 is not currently aimed at general household tasks, although it reportedly possesses some basic functions
roboticshumanoid-robotUnitree-G1AI-automationrobotics-researchindustrial-robotsrobot-agilityChina: ‘World’s first’ humanoid robot that resists dust, rain, heat
Chinese technology company Deep Robotics has introduced the DR02 humanoid robot, touted as the world’s first humanoid robot with an IP66 protection rating, enabling it to resist dust, rain, and operate in harsh weather conditions. Standing 175 cm tall and weighing 65 kg, the DR02 is designed for outdoor use, functioning effectively in temperatures ranging from -20 to 55 degrees Celsius and enduring humidity and rain. It features a walking speed of 1.5 m/s, can accelerate to 4 m/s, climb slopes up to 20 degrees, and lift loads up to 10 kg. Its modular design allows quick swapping of major components like arms and legs to reduce maintenance downtime. The DR02 delivers 275 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of computing power and is equipped with an advanced multi-sensor suite, including LiDAR, depth sensors, and wide-angle cameras. This sensor integration enables obstacle detection, detailed mapping, and real-time adaptive movement, making the robot suitable
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-robotIP66-protectionmulti-sensor-suiteLiDARrobotics-innovationFigure 03 robot tackles household chores with realistic motion
Figure AI has introduced its third-generation humanoid robot, Figure 03, designed to perform household and warehouse tasks with enhanced realism and efficiency. Standing five-foot-six, Figure 03 improves on its predecessor with advanced sensory systems, including cameras that process twice as many frames per second and offer a 60% wider field of view, enabling smoother navigation in complex environments. Each hand features a palm camera and highly sensitive fingertip sensors capable of detecting minimal pressure, allowing delicate handling of objects like glassware. The robot is lighter, smaller, and covered in washable mesh fabric with foam padding for safety, and it supports wireless charging through coils in its feet, providing about five hours of operation per full charge. The robot’s AI, named Helix, integrates vision, language, and movement to learn from human behavior, while upgraded actuators deliver faster, more powerful motion suitable for tasks such as sorting parts and packaging. Audio improvements include a louder speaker and clearer microphone placement, facilitating natural communication without distortion. Figure
robothumanoid-robotAIroboticswireless-chargingsensorsautomationFigure AI designs Figure 03 humanoid for AI, home use, and scaling - The Robot Report
Figure AI Inc. has unveiled its third-generation humanoid robot, Figure 03, featuring a comprehensive redesign of hardware and software aimed at enhancing AI integration, home usability, and scalability for mass production. The robot incorporates a new sensory suite and hand system designed to reduce manufacturing costs and improve suitability for household environments. The company, based in San Jose, California, recently established a new supply chain and manufacturing process to support large-scale production, with plans to ship 100,000 units over the next four years. Figure AI has rapidly advanced its humanoid technology, earning a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award and securing over $1 billion in committed capital, resulting in a $39 billion valuation. Figure 03 is built around Figure AI’s Helix physical AI model, enabling advanced reasoning and intelligent navigation in complex, cluttered spaces like homes. The robot’s vision system offers twice the frame rate, significantly reduced latency, and a wider field of view compared to its predecessor, supporting high-frequency
robothumanoid-robotartificial-intelligencerobotics-innovationsensory-technologytactile-sensorsAI-roboticsBoston Dynamics humanoid robot gets new hands for heavy lifting
Boston Dynamics has introduced a significant upgrade to its humanoid robot Atlas by developing a new three-fingered gripper designed to improve its ability to handle both delicate and heavy objects. Unlike attempts to fully replicate the human hand, the company focused on creating a rugged, reliable gripper with seven degrees of freedom and seven actuators, including an articulated thumb joint. This design enhances Atlas’s dexterity, allowing it to perform complex tasks such as sorting, picking, packing, and manipulating objects with precision. The gripper also incorporates tactile sensing on the fingertips and cameras embedded in the palm, enabling the robot to adjust its grip based on the shape and delicacy of items. In addition to hardware improvements, Boston Dynamics has partnered with the Toyota Research Institute to develop a Large Behavior Model (LBM), an AI system trained on extensive human action datasets. This AI enables Atlas to understand, generate, and adapt human-like behaviors without the need for manual programming of each task. Demonstrations showed Atlas performing tasks such
roboticshumanoid-robotBoston-Dynamicsrobot-handstactile-sensingAI-in-roboticsrobot-gripperHumanoid robot 'superworker' offers dexterous industrial assistance
Ati Motors, an Indian AI and robotics company, has introduced the Sherpa Mecha humanoid-inspired robot designed specifically for practical industrial applications rather than human-like imitation. Unlike traditional humanoid robots that focus on replicating human appearance and motion, Sherpa Mecha prioritizes functionality on manufacturing floors, performing tasks such as machine tending, material transport, and heavy bin handling. The robot features high-performance actuators, precision gripping, 3D navigation, and a 26-pound payload capacity, moving on wheels for enhanced speed and safety in industrial environments. This design reflects Ati Motors’ philosophy of creating robots “for industry, not spectacle,” emphasizing utility and integration over biomimicry. Sherpa Mecha is positioned as a “tool-forward industrial superworker” capable of continuous, fatigue-free operation and seamless integration into existing automation lines. Developed in collaboration with research institutions and industrial partners, the robot has undergone extensive testing to ensure reliability and compatibility. Ati Motors promotes Sherpa Mecha as a customizable platform
roboticsindustrial-automationhumanoid-robotAI-roboticsmanufacturing-technologyautonomous-robotsindustrial-superworkerHumanoid robot Oli performs classical Chinese dance alongside humans
The article highlights a unique cultural and technological fusion in Shenzhen, China, where LimX Dynamics’ humanoid robot Oli performs classical Chinese dance alongside human dancers at prominent cultural sites. The one-minute video showcases Oli moving gracefully with traditional dancers against backdrops such as Shenzhen Bay, Talent Park, and the historic Gankeng Hakka Town, blending centuries-old heritage with cutting-edge robotics. The performance emphasizes Oli’s fluid, ballet-like movements and its ability to harmonize with human performers, symbolizing a seamless integration of art and technology. Oli stands 165 cm tall, weighs 55 kg, and features 31 degrees of freedom, enabling highly natural and precise motions. Its design focuses on agility, modularity, and perception, incorporating advanced sensors—including Intel RealSense depth cameras and a 6-axis IMU—and supporting external sensors like LiDAR for 3D environment mapping and object recognition. The robot’s modular architecture facilitates rapid reconfiguration for research and development, while connectivity options and compatibility with platforms
robothumanoid-robotroboticsdance-performancemotion-controlengineeringShenzhenWatch: Optimus humanoid robot shows off kung fu skills to Jared Leto
Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, made a high-profile appearance at the world premiere of Disney’s Tron: Ares in Los Angeles, where it playfully demonstrated kung fu moves in a staged face-off with actor Jared Leto. The event marked the first time Optimus was featured at a major Hollywood film launch, drawing millions of views and widespread social media attention. This stunt was part of a collaboration between Tesla, Disney, and Elon Musk’s xAI platform to integrate generative AI technology into interactive fan experiences for the upcoming Tron sequel, which explores themes of sentient AI crossing into the real world. However, the upbeat publicity was contrasted by a serious lawsuit filed against Tesla just hours before the premiere. Peter Hinterdobler, a Tesla robot mechanic, alleged that an Optimus unit violently malfunctioned during a maintenance shift in February 2025, causing him to be knocked unconscious and pinned down by the robot’s heavy counterbalance weight. Hinterdobler is seeking $51 million in damages
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusrobotics-technologyAI-integrationgenerative-AIhumanoid-robot-kung-fuVideo: Chinese humanoid robot picks up tennis balls like a human
The article highlights a new video from Chinese robotics company LimX Dynamics showcasing their humanoid robot, Oli, autonomously picking up tennis balls with human-like dexterity and balance. Without any remote control or motion-capture assistance, Oli visually tracks and retrieves tennis balls scattered on the floor, demonstrating real-time perception, adaptive locomotion, and precise manipulation. The robot repeatedly collects and deposits the balls into a basket, maintaining stable gait and fluid motion throughout the task, underscoring its advanced embodied intelligence and autonomous capabilities. Oli stands 165 cm tall, weighs 55 kg, and features 31 degrees of freedom, enabling fine motor control and agile movements such as bending, reaching, and grasping. Its modular design supports quick reconfiguration for research and development. Equipped with multi-sensor fusion—including IMUs and Intel RealSense depth cameras—Oli achieves 3D spatial awareness and object recognition critical for dynamic environments. The platform also offers extensive connectivity, development tools, and simulation support to facilitate
robothumanoid-robotautonomous-robotroboticsmotion-planningsensorsartificial-intelligenceTesla’s Optimus humanoid robot performs Kung Fu moves in latest video
Tesla has released a new video showcasing its humanoid robot, Optimus, performing Kung Fu moves alongside a human sparring partner. The 36-second clip demonstrates significant advancements in the robot’s speed, balance, and fluidity compared to earlier, slower demos that were often sped up. Notably, the video appears to show real-time, AI-driven autonomous movements rather than tele-operated control, marking a key milestone in Tesla’s development of robots capable of responding independently to their environment. The demo highlights Optimus’ improved stability, including its ability to adjust weight and recover from pushes, as well as enhanced footwork, although hand and finger dexterity remain limited. While the Kung Fu demonstration is primarily a way to showcase Optimus’ range of motion, balance, and adaptability—qualities essential for practical human-like tasks—Tesla does not intend to develop fighting robots. The robot version shown is likely Optimus v2.5, with more advanced versions expected in the future. Elon Musk has indicated plans to
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusartificial-intelligenceroboticsrobot-balancerobot-motion-controlWatch: $80,000 humanoid robot brutalized by YouTuber in shocking test
YouTuber Cody Detwiler, known as WhistlinDiesel, conducted a durability and behavior test on an $80,000 humanoid robot named Ben, a Unitree G1 model. In a widely viewed 17-minute video titled "What Happens if you Abuse a Robot," Detwiler programmed Ben to consider humans as enemies and subjected it to various intense and violent scenarios. These included attacking with a machete, acting as a dangerous nanny to a baby doll, simulating a burglary by running at high speed, and enduring physical abuse such as being hit by a truck. The robot executed its programmed hostile actions with alarming precision, raising questions about the potential risks if such machines were misused. The video, while primarily created for entertainment, highlights concerning implications about humanoid robots’ future capabilities. Ben’s aggressive responses to insults and rough treatment suggest that robots could potentially exhibit emotional-like reactions, such as feeling insulted or retaliating. The disturbing behavior toward the baby doll, although
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-G1robot-durability-testrobotics-technologyrobot-programmingrobot-behaviorJet-powered robot baby shows robust flight control in simulations
The article discusses a significant advancement in flight control for the jet-powered humanoid robot iRonCub, developed by researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology. The team introduced a novel Model Predictive Control (MPC) framework that integrates both the robot’s fast joint actuators and slower jet engine dynamics through a multirate control design. This approach uses a linearized centroidal momentum model for flight dynamics combined with a nonlinear model for jet propulsion, allowing the controller to issue commands at rates suited to each actuator’s physical capabilities. Simulations in MuJoCo demonstrated the robot’s ability to maintain stable flight, recover from disturbances such as pushes causing pitching and rolling, and accurately track both smooth and aggressive flight trajectories. This research marks a step forward in combining walking robots with airborne mobility, with the iRonCub3 platform having recently achieved lift-off in the lab by hovering about 50 centimeters using four jet engines. The unified multirate MPC framework not only improves responsiveness and stability by embedding jet dynamics directly
roboticshumanoid-robotjet-propulsionflight-controlmodel-predictive-controlsimulationautonomous-systemsWhat Tesla’s Optimus robot can do in 2025 and where it still lags
Tesla aims to produce 5,000 Optimus humanoid robots by 2025, positioning the robot as central to its future under the vision of integrating AI into the physical world. CEO Elon Musk has claimed that 80% of Tesla’s future value will derive from Optimus and related AI ventures, signaling a shift from purely an automaker to a “physical AI” platform. Demonstrations through 2024 and 2025 have shown Optimus performing basic locomotion with improved heel-to-toe walking, simple household chores like sweeping and trash removal, and basic manipulation tasks such as handling car parts. These capabilities are enabled by a unified control policy—a single neural network trained using vision-based inputs and human video data—which Tesla highlights as a scalable approach to skill acquisition. However, Optimus’s current functionality is largely limited to structured or lightly staged environments with known objects and controlled lighting, lacking robust autonomy in unstructured homes or fully operational industrial settings. While the robot shows smoother full-body coordination and
robothumanoid-robotTesla-OptimusAI-roboticsautomationneural-networksrobotics-developmentChinese pregnancy robot story collapses: What is the real science?
The viral story about a Chinese company, Kaiwa Technology, developing a humanoid "pregnancy robot" capable of gestating and delivering a human baby within ten months has been thoroughly debunked. The narrative, which included AI-generated images and a purported inventor named Zhang Qifeng—who was found to be non-existent—was revealed as a hoax by multiple fact-checkers including Snopes and Live Science. Investigations confirmed no verifiable evidence or institutional backing existed, with Nanyang Technological University denying any involvement or research related to such a device. The story’s rapid spread was driven by compelling visuals and a simplified technological promise rather than factual accuracy. Beyond the debunking, the article highlights the immense scientific and biological challenges involved in creating an artificial womb capable of full human gestation. The primary obstacle is replicating the placenta’s complex functions, which include oxygen and nutrient delivery, waste removal, and immune regulation. Current lab experiments have only managed short-term oxygenation support in animal
robotartificial-wombhumanoid-robotAI-generated-imagestechnology-hoaxgestation-technologyrobotics-researchEngineer kicks humanoid robot, yanks it by neck to test stability
An engineer recently conducted a rigorous stability test on the Unitree G1 humanoid robot by forcefully kicking its torso and yanking it by the neck using a chain. The video, shared widely on social media, demonstrated the robot’s ability to maintain balance under significant external disturbances. This test was part of evaluating Any2Track, a humanoid motion tracking system developed by Zhikai Zhang, a PhD student at Tsinghua University, in collaboration with Chinese robotics company Galbot. Any2Track employs a two-stage reinforcement learning framework consisting of AnyTracker, a general motion tracker, and AnyAdapter, an adaptation module that enables the robot to adjust dynamically to real-world disturbances without prior training (zero-shot sim2real transfer). The Unitree G1 robot, featuring 23 degrees of freedom and equipped with 3D LiDAR and depth cameras for precise spatial awareness, is designed for agility, stability, and autonomous movement across complex terrains. It has previously demonstrated smooth walking, running, and even
robothumanoid-robotmotion-trackingrobotics-stabilityUnitree-G1robotics-testingreal-world-roboticsChina’s humanoid robot survives several kicks with 'anti-gravity mode'
Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot has demonstrated impressive resilience and balance in a recent series of physical tests, surviving repeated kicks, shoves, and body blows without falling over permanently. Central to this capability is the robot’s new “Anti-Gravity mode,” which enables it to actively anticipate impacts, adjust its posture in real time, and recover quickly rather than simply falling and resetting. Equipped with depth cameras, 3D LiDAR, and multiple joint motors, the G1 continuously scans its environment and calculates how to shift its center of gravity, brace against hits, and regain balance smoothly—actions that resemble a human athlete’s reflexes. The robot’s ability to absorb shocks and recover rapidly has practical implications beyond technical demonstration. Designed for industrial and research environments, the G1’s durability and adaptability can minimize downtime caused by unexpected collisions or falls, allowing it to continue tasks without human intervention. Priced at around $16,000, the G1 offers a more affordable option compared to other advanced
robothumanoid-robotanti-gravity-modeLiDARsensorsrobotics-technologyindustrial-robotsChinese humanoid robot performs cartwheel, 360 jump in demo video
Shanghai-based robotics company Fourier recently showcased its N1 humanoid robot performing impressive gymnastic feats, including a cartwheel and a 360-degree jump, in a 30-second demonstration video. The N1, about 1.3 meters tall and weighing 38 kilograms, executes these dynamic moves without using fingers, relying on strong actuators, precise motion-planning algorithms, and real-time sensing to maintain balance and stability. These maneuvers highlight the robot’s advanced hardware strength and control responsiveness, underscoring Fourier’s engineering capabilities in humanoid robotics. Unlike Fourier’s earlier full-size GR series robots, the N1 (also called Nexus-01) is designed to be smaller, lighter, and more accessible, serving as an open-source platform for developers, researchers, and hobbyists. Fourier provides blueprints, software, control systems, and hardware details openly, encouraging experimentation and innovation. The company plans various configurations, from self-assembly kits to ready-built units, under its “N
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-roboticsrobotics-demonstrationdynamic-controlactuator-technologyrobotics-hardwareChina's humanoid robot head shocks with 'lifelike facial expressions'
Chinese robotics company AheadForm has developed a humanoid robotic head capable of expressing a wide range of realistic facial emotions, aiming to enhance human-robot interaction. Their robot head, showcased in a viral YouTube video, features lifelike eye movements, blinking, and expressive facial cues achieved through a combination of self-supervised AI algorithms and advanced bionic actuation technology. AheadForm’s “Elf series” of robots, characterized by elf-like features such as large ears, incorporate up to 30 degrees of freedom in facial movement, powered by precise control systems and AI learning algorithms. Their latest model, “Xuan,” is a full-body bionic figure with a static body but a highly interactive head capable of rich facial expressions and lifelike gaze behaviors. A key innovation enabling these realistic expressions is a specialized brushless motor designed for ultra-quiet, responsive, and energy-efficient facial control, allowing subtle and precise movements. AheadForm’s founder, Hu Yuhang, envisions humanoid robots that feel
robothumanoid-robotAI-algorithmsbionic-actuationbrushless-motorhuman-robot-interactionlifelike-facial-expressionsWatch Kangaroo humanoid robot moves swiftly, squat with a heavy box
PAL Robotics has unveiled its latest humanoid robot, Kangaroo, showcasing advanced capabilities in balance, strength, and precise movement. The robot, standing 160 cm tall and weighing 40 kg, demonstrates fluid bipedal locomotion and the ability to lift and squat with a heavy plastic container filled with houseplants, despite lacking fingers. Kangaroo’s design features a minimalist, headless appearance with a vision system above its torso, and it operates using custom force-controlled linear actuators that provide 28 degrees of freedom. These actuators, combined with closed-loop force and torque controllers, enable the robot to perform dynamic, robust, and efficient movements, making it a versatile research platform for studying bipedal locomotion and humanoid mobility. Kangaroo is powered by in-house motor electronics running on a Linux-ROS environment, offering up to six hours of battery life. Its design emphasizes energy efficiency through lightweight materials, motors placed close to the body, and a decoupled leg length actuator that
robothumanoid-robotbipedal-locomotionrobotics-researchlinear-actuatorsforce-sensorsenergy-efficiencyHumanoid robot walks naturally down passageway into a 'friends' den
PND Robotics recently showcased its humanoid robot, Adam, which demonstrates a natural, human-like gait and directional sense as it walks down a hallway into a room filled with other robots performing various tasks. Using a proprietary reinforcement learning algorithm, Adam was trained through simulation-to-real-world methods to mimic human walking and movement with impressive fluidity and accuracy. In the video, Adam is greeted by another robot, Adam-U, highlighting PND Robotics’ focus on creating affordable, modular humanoid robots that combine biomimetic design with real-world adaptability and continuous self-learning. Adam and Adam-U made notable public debuts at events in Shanghai and Zhejiang Province, where they impressed audiences by performing human-like actions such as passing objects and navigating environments naturally. PND Robotics aims to democratize personal robotics by developing machines that integrate physical interaction, perception, and learning in a lifelike manner. Compared to other advanced humanoid robots like Cassie, Digit, and HRP-5P, Adam stands out for its human
robothumanoid-robotreinforcement-learningbiomimetic-designmodular-robotspersonal-roboticsrobot-locomotionKorean humanoid nails Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk dance with AI
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a humanoid robot capable of performing advanced lower-body movements, including Michael Jackson’s iconic Moonwalk, high-speed running up to 12 km/h, and complex gait patterns such as duck walking and straight-leg bounds. A demonstration video showcases the robot’s stability and adaptability, highlighting its ability to recover from external pushes and navigate obstacles without relying on vision-based sensors. Instead, the robot uses internal sensing and AI-driven control trained via reinforcement learning to maintain balance and traverse uneven terrain, including stairs and debris. Standing 165 cm tall and weighing 75 kg, the robot’s core mechanical components—motors, reducers, and drivers—were developed in-house, ensuring technological independence. The research team successfully bridged the simulation-to-reality gap, enabling reliable real-world performance. The work will be presented at upcoming robotics conferences CoRL 2025 and Humanoids 2025. Future plans include enhancing the robot’s capabilities
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-controlrobot-locomotionKAISTrobotics-researchrobot-stabilityU.K.-based startup Humanoid unveils HMND 01 Alpha mobile manipulator - The Robot Report
Humanoid, a London-based robotics and AI startup founded in 2024 by Artem Sokolov, has unveiled the HMND 01 Alpha, a dual-armed mobile manipulator designed for industrial applications. Developed in just seven months, the robot aims to address labor shortages in manufacturing by supporting workers rather than replacing them. The HMND 01 Alpha stands 220 cm tall, can move at speeds up to 7.2 kph, and features 29 active degrees of freedom. It can carry payloads up to 15 kg with both arms and is equipped with versatile end-effectors—a dexterous five-fingered hand or a simpler parallel gripper—allowing it to handle a range of tasks from delicate manipulation to heavy lifting. Its perception system includes 360-degree RGB cameras and depth sensors, enabling comprehensive environmental awareness. Humanoid targets a $38 billion industrial market in Europe, with plans to expand globally where robot density remains relatively low despite productivity benefits. The company emphasizes
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticsmobile-manipulatorlabor-shortage-solutionmanufacturing-roboticsUK startup launches fastest-developed humanoid robot for logistics
UK-based robotics and AI startup Humanoid has unveiled the HMND 01 Alpha, the fastest-developed humanoid robot prototype designed for industrial logistics, retail, and manufacturing tasks. Developed in just seven months by a team of around 170 experts, the nearly 87-inch tall wheeled robot integrates multiple AI workflows powered by NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor platform, enabling autonomous operation, real-time adaptation to environments, and simultaneous running of large-scale generative AI models. The robot can move at speeds up to 4.4 mph, carry payloads of 33 lbs or more, and operate in confined spaces such as factory floors and store aisles. The HMND 01 Alpha features advanced perception capabilities with 360-degree RGB cameras and depth sensors, 29 active degrees of freedom (excluding end-effectors), and interchangeable end-effectors including a dexterous five-fingered hand or a simpler parallel gripper. It can reach items from floor level up to two meters high and handle shelf depths
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-roboticsindustrial-automationlogistics-technologyautonomous-robotsNVIDIA-Jetson-ThorWatch China’s Agibot humanoid land a perfect Webster flip in a first
The article highlights a significant milestone in humanoid robotics achieved by China’s AGIBOT with its Lingxi X2 robot flawlessly performing the Webster flip—a complex gymnastics move involving a forward somersault with a back-leg takeoff. This feat, previously exclusive to elite human gymnasts, demonstrates advanced motion-control algorithms and sensor technologies that enable exceptional balance, coordination, and dynamic movement in robots. Introduced earlier in 2025, Lingxi X2 features modular design, multi-joint force control, and real-time perception, allowing it to navigate complex environments and execute high-impact acrobatics. AGIBOT plans large-scale production later in 2025, aiming to ship thousands of units by the end of 2026. The demonstration underscores growing competition in humanoid robotics, where companies are pushing the boundaries of athletic and acrobatic capabilities. Comparisons are drawn with Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, known for flips and parkour, and China’s Unitree Robotics, whose G1 and R
robothumanoid-robotAGIBOTmotion-controlroboticsartificial-intelligencedynamic-movementMeet Oto: Las Vegas hotel's humanoid robot chats with, helps guests
The Otonomus Hotel in Las Vegas has introduced Oto, a multilingual humanoid robot powered by artificial intelligence, as a central feature of its futuristic hospitality experience. Positioned near Allegiant Stadium, the hotel aims to attract both tech enthusiasts and travelers by blending cutting-edge AI technology with personalized guest services. Oto interacts with guests through conversation, jokes, and local recommendations, speaking over 50 languages to accommodate international visitors. Beyond entertainment, Oto efficiently handles practical tasks such as check-ins, room service, and guest requests, allowing hotel staff to focus on other duties while enhancing operational efficiency. This innovative approach positions Las Vegas as a leader in integrating AI into frontline hospitality roles, offering a unique attraction that could boost tourism in a city reliant on both domestic and international visitors. Early guest feedback has been positive, suggesting that AI-driven services like Oto provide more than novelty—they represent a viable enhancement to traditional hotel operations. The Otonomus Hotel exemplifies how technology can complement conventional service, delivering
robothumanoid-robotAIhospitality-technologycustomer-service-automationmultilingual-AIhotel-automationVideo shows China's humanoid robot enduring 'violence test'
A viral video showcasing Unitree’s G1 humanoid robot undergoing a “violence test” has highlighted the machine’s remarkable resilience and balance. In the footage, the robot is subjected to approximately nine forceful kicks from various directions, yet it consistently maintains its posture and quickly recovers from any loss of footing. The only time the G1 falls is due to slipping on a carpeted surface rather than the kicks themselves, underscoring its stability under physical stress. Although the demonstration appears aggressive, such tests are common in robotics to evaluate durability and dynamic balance. The Unitree G1 is designed primarily for research and light industrial applications, emphasizing affordability and accessibility rather than combat. Its agility stems from advanced technology, including high-speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors with dual encoders for precise joint control, and a whole-body control system that coordinates movements dynamically. The robot also uses 3D LiDAR, depth cameras, and an Inertial Measurement Unit to maintain spatial awareness and react swiftly to external
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-G1robotics-testingAI-mobilityrobot-durabilityrobotic-sensorsHumanoid robot turns shoe tester after half-marathon victory in China
The humanoid robot Tien Kung, developed by UBTech Robotics and the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre, has transitioned from athletic competitions to a novel role as a running shoe tester in China. After making headlines in April 2025 by completing a half-marathon in Beijing in 2 hours and 40 minutes, demonstrating endurance and human-like running capabilities, Tien Kung was recently employed at the Li-Ning Sports Science Research Center to evaluate running shoes. Equipped with sensors on its hips, knees, and ankles, the robot ran on a 3D force treadmill and a 200-meter indoor track to collect detailed biomechanical data on cushioning, rebound, and other performance metrics. This approach offers a level of consistency and precision unattainable with human athletes, potentially accelerating shoe design cycles and reducing costs. Tien Kung stands 1.7 meters tall and features advanced biomimetic design, including 20 degrees of freedom, lidar sensors, Nvidia Jetson Orin computing kits, and dexter
robothumanoid-robotsports-technologybiomechanicswearable-sensorsrobotics-testingproduct-development'World’s cutest' humanoid carries out chores with warmth, care
The Fourier GR-3 humanoid robot, developed by Chinese firm Fourier Robotics, is designed to support meaningful human interaction by combining emotional intelligence with practical functionality. Unlike traditional robots, the GR-3 can express empathy and kindness, making it feel more like a companion than a machine. It demonstrates capabilities such as eidetic memory to assist an art curator, multilingual communication to guide museum visitors, and home assistance by managing daily schedules. The robot also exhibits advanced visual recognition and human-like locomotion, responding naturally to gestures like waving. Weighing 71 kg and standing 165 cm tall, the GR-3 features 55 degrees of freedom for balanced, fluid movement and an animated facial interface that enhances its lifelike presence. Its emotional intelligence is powered by Fourier’s Full-Perception Multimodal Interaction System, integrating sight, sound, and touch, with 31 pressure sensors enabling responsive actions such as blinking and eye tracking. The robot supports continuous operation with a swappable battery and adaptable movement modes
robothumanoid-robotemotional-intelligencehuman-robot-interactionrobotics-technologyautonomous-robotssmart-roboticsTechnology behind ghostly water-powered humanoid robot revealed
Clone Robotics, a Polish startup founded in 2021, is pioneering lifelike humanoid robots powered by innovative synthetic muscle technology. Unlike traditional rigid, motor-driven robots, Clone’s androids use water-powered fluidic muscles based on the McKibben design—pressurized tubes that contract like human muscles when filled with fluid. This hydraulic system, driven by a compact pump dubbed the “hydraulic heart,” enables natural, versatile movements by mimicking human musculoskeletal structures such as tendons and ligaments. The company began by developing a robotic hand with high degrees of freedom, then expanded to a full-body prototype within a year, leveraging anatomical layouts to simplify design. In February 2025, Clone Robotics unveiled Protoclone V1, a synthetic human prototype featuring over 200 degrees of freedom, 1,000 artificial muscle fibers (Myofibers), and 500 sensors, closely replicating human anatomy. Later that year, they launched their first full-scale humanoid robot and are
roboticshumanoid-robotartificial-musclesfluidic-musclessoft-roboticshydraulic-systemandroid-technologyHumans can ‘borrow’ robot hands as their own, scientists discover
Researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology and Brown University have discovered that humans can unconsciously incorporate a humanoid robot’s hand into their body schema—the brain’s internal map of the body and its spatial relationship to the environment—especially when collaborating on a task. In experiments involving a child-sized robot named iCub, participants who jointly sliced a soap bar with the robot showed faster reactions to visual cues near the robot’s hand, indicating that their brains treated the robot’s hand as part of their own near space. This effect was contingent on active collaboration and was influenced by the robot’s movement style, with broader, fluid, and well-synchronized gestures enhancing the cognitive integration. The study also found that physical proximity and the participant’s perception of the robot’s competence and pleasantness strengthened this integration. Participants who attributed more human-like traits or emotions to the robot exhibited a stronger cognitive bond, suggesting that empathy and partnership play important roles in human-robot interaction. These findings provide valuable insights for designing future robots that can
robothumanoid-robothuman-robot-interactionbody-schemacognitive-integrationrehabilitation-roboticsiCub-robotChina’s humanoid robot Bumblebee now walks with human-like gait
Shanghai Kepler Robotics has unveiled a significant advancement in its humanoid robot K2 “Bumblebee,” showcasing China’s first “hybrid-architecture disturbance-resistant” gait that enables the robot to walk with a natural, human-like straight-knee motion. This breakthrough is achieved through a novel hybrid actuation system combining planetary roller screw linear actuators and rotary actuators in a series-parallel configuration. The linear actuators act as the robot’s primary “leg muscles,” providing walking force, while rotary actuators manage fine adjustments and terrain adaptation. This design offers high energy efficiency (81.3%), precise positioning, and strong load-bearing capacity, allowing Bumblebee to maintain balance over uneven surfaces such as bricks and grass, and to carry payloads up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds). To bridge the gap between simulation and real-world performance, Kepler addressed mechanical and control challenges by integrating reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and torque control, enabling dynamic gait switching and robust stability despite sensor noise, actuator
robothumanoid-robothybrid-actuatorlocomotion-technologyreinforcement-learningindustrial-roboticsrobotic-gaitJack Ma-backed firm unveils humanoid robot that can cook shrimp
Ant Group, backed by Jack Ma, has unveiled its first humanoid robot, the R1, developed by its robotics division Ant Lingbo Technology (Robbyant). The 243-pound, two-armed robot stands about 5.2 to 5.7 feet tall and can move at speeds up to 1.5 meters per second with 34 degrees of freedom. Demonstrated at IFA 2025 in Berlin and the Inclusion Conference in Shanghai, the R1 showcased capabilities such as cooking shrimp, serving as a tour guide, and providing basic medical consultations. The robot is already in mass production and has been delivered to early clients like the Shanghai History Museum, though it is sold as part of broader “scenario solutions” rather than as a standalone product. A second-generation model is currently in development. Ant Lingbo Technology was founded in late 2024 and officially launched in early 2025, with bases in Shanghai and Hangzhou. The company aims to extend Ant Group’s
robothumanoid-robotartificial-intelligenceroboticsAnt-Groupautomationcooking-robotHumanoid robot HITTER plays table tennis with human-like speed
UC Berkeley has developed a humanoid robot named HITTER that can play table tennis with human-like speed and agility. Demonstrated in a video, HITTER successfully engaged in rallies exceeding 100 shots against human opponents, using its left hand for balance and executing precise, fluid movements. The robot’s performance relies on a dual-system design: a high-level planner that tracks and predicts the ball’s trajectory using external cameras, and a low-level controller that converts these calculations into coordinated arm and leg motions. Trained on human motion data, HITTER can move naturally, reacting to balls traveling up to 5 m/s in under a second. The development team combined model-based planning with reinforcement learning to overcome the challenges of split-second decision-making and unpredictable shots inherent in table tennis. This hybrid approach enabled HITTER to fine-tune its movements through trial and error, resulting in lifelike swings and footwork. Tested on a general-purpose humanoid platform (likely the Unitree G1), HITTER demonstrated its
roboticshumanoid-robotreinforcement-learningAI-planninghuman-robot-interactiontable-tennis-robotrobot-motion-controlDisaster-response robot cuts wooden plank with handheld saw in secs
The Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has developed ARMstrong Dex, a human-scale, dual-arm hydraulic robot designed specifically for disaster-response scenarios. A recent video demonstrates the robot’s ability to cut through a thick wooden beam (40 x 90 mm) using a handheld saw within seconds, highlighting its precision, continuous control, and dexterity without relying on powered tools. This capability is crucial for operating in disaster zones where power outages and obstructive debris are common, and where robots must perform tasks like cutting, drilling, and lifting with high accuracy to avoid further harm or structural instability. ARMstrong Dex is engineered to handle extreme conditions such as unstable terrain, toxic environments, and limited visibility. It features caterpillar tracks for mobility, can lift up to 441 pounds (200 kg) across both arms, and has demonstrated strength through tests like lifting 88 pounds (40 kg) with one arm and performing weighted pull-ups. Beyond raw power, the robot also exhibits fine motor skills, as
robotdisaster-response-robothydraulic-robothumanoid-robotrobotic-dexterityindustrial-robotrobotic-manipulationTesla's '2.5 gen' Optimus humanoid stumbles through its first demo
Tesla recently showcased an updated version of its Optimus humanoid robot, dubbed "version 2.5," clarifying that this iteration is an intermediate upgrade rather than a new generation. The gold-colored robot demonstrated limited real-world capabilities in a brief demo featuring xAI’s Grok voice assistant. During the demo, the robot responded hesitantly to voice commands and walked slowly, with Elon Musk noting it was still cautious about spatial awareness and would eventually move faster. Despite these incremental improvements, the robot showed little evidence of advanced autonomy or dexterous manipulation, and the video ended before any object retrieval was attempted. Visually, Optimus 2.5 features a smoother, more cohesive exterior with rounded edges, better-covered joints, and fewer visible seams and wires, marking a shift toward a more human-like silhouette. These design refinements aim to enhance both the robot’s mobility and its readiness for human environments. Tesla continues to emphasize Optimus as a key part of its long-term strategy, pairing
robothumanoid-robotTesla-Optimusrobotics-demoAI-assistantautomationbipedal-robotTesla Optimus Disappoints Internet
The recently released footage of Tesla’s Optimus robot on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been met with disappointment from viewers. Despite Tesla’s significant emphasis on Optimus as a key future product, the new visuals failed to impress the internet audience, raising concerns about the robot’s current capabilities and readiness. This negative reception could have implications for Tesla, which has been banking on Optimus to play a major role in its product lineup and technological innovation. The skepticism expressed online may reflect broader doubts about the timeline and feasibility of Optimus meeting Tesla’s ambitious goals, potentially impacting investor and public confidence in the project’s progress.
robotTesla-Optimushumanoid-robotrobotics-technologyAI-roboticsautomationTeslaFigure humanoid robot masters dishwashing after folding laundry
Figure, a California-based robotics company, has advanced its humanoid robot, Figure 02, to perform the complex household task of loading a dishwasher with human-like precision. Powered by the company’s generalist Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model called Helix, the robot can carefully pick up, reorient, and arrange various dishes and glasses in the dishwasher with finger-level accuracy and minimal error tolerance. Remarkably, this capability was achieved without any new algorithms or task-specific programming; instead, the robot learned the task through additional data and observation of human actions, allowing it to recover gracefully from errors or collisions. This development builds on previous demonstrations where Figure 02 folded towels, rearranged packages, and placed garments into a washing machine using the same Helix AI model. The key innovation lies in Helix’s general-purpose architecture, which enables the robot to acquire diverse skills through data-driven learning rather than specialized engineering for each task. While the robot’s growing repertoire brings the vision of a
robothumanoid-robotAI-modelVision-Language-Actionhousehold-robotautomationroboticsHumanoid robot receptionist adds tech spark at SCO summit 2025
At the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, a Chinese humanoid robot named Xiao He served as a multilingual AI receptionist, assisting journalists and delegates by providing real-time information in Chinese, English, and Russian. Equipped with advanced emotional recognition, adaptive learning, and extensive knowledge databases, Xiao He facilitated smooth communication while maintaining cultural neutrality and factual accuracy. The robot guided attendees on summit logistics, such as media center locations and cultural activities, and even engaged in lighthearted interactions like serving ice cream to volunteers. Xiao He’s presence highlighted China’s growing emphasis on robotics as part of its technological and diplomatic strategy. Alongside Xiao He, China introduced Guanghua No. 1, an emotional AI humanoid capable of displaying humanlike emotions, underscoring the country's advancements in AI robotics. This demonstration at the SCO, coupled with China’s recent hosting of the World Humanoid Robot Games, signals the nation’s ambition to lead in the evolving robotics industry and integrate such technologies
robothumanoid-robotAI-assistantservice-robotemotional-recognitionadaptive-learningmultilingual-supportHumanoid robot uses human data to master cartwheels and sprints
Researchers at Cornell University have developed BeyondMimic, a novel framework enabling humanoid robots to perform complex, fluid human-like motions such as cartwheels, sprints, dance moves, and even Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siu” celebration. Unlike traditional programming methods that require task-specific coding, BeyondMimic uses human motion capture data to train robots through a unified policy, allowing them to generalize and execute new tasks without prior training. This system leverages Markov Decision Processes and hyperparameters to seamlessly transition between diverse movements while preserving the style, timing, and expression of the original human actions. A key innovation in BeyondMimic is the use of loss-guided diffusion, which guides the robot’s real-time movements via differentiable cost functions, ensuring accuracy, flexibility, balance, and stability. The framework supports various real-world robotic controls such as path following, joystick operation, and obstacle avoidance, making it highly adaptable. The entire training pipeline is open-source and reproducible, providing a
roboticshumanoid-robotmotion-trackingmachine-learningrobot-controlartificial-intelligencerobotics-researchThis $5K Robot Can Change Your Life
The Unitree R1 is a $5,900 humanoid robot standing 127 cm tall and weighing 35 kilograms, designed to integrate into everyday environments rather than being confined to laboratory settings. Powered by advanced AI, the robot can walk, maintain balance, pick up objects, and adapt to its surroundings in real time, showcasing a level of versatility and responsiveness uncommon in similarly priced robots. Intended for practical use in diverse settings such as classrooms, hospitals, and homes, the Unitree R1 aims to be more than just a machine—it aspires to become a helpful companion or assistant in daily life. Its combination of mobility, object manipulation, and adaptive capabilities positions it as a potentially transformative tool for personal and professional applications.
robothumanoid-robotAI-powered-robotrobotics-technologyUnitree-R1personal-robotautonomous-robotBoston Dynamics’ Atlas Gets a Brain Upgrade
Boston Dynamics has significantly upgraded its humanoid robot Atlas by integrating a Large Behavior Model (LBM), enabling the robot to learn complex human actions from extensive datasets rather than relying on traditional hand-coded instructions. This advancement allows Atlas to perform a variety of tasks with notable dexterity, such as moving baskets, transferring objects, placing items on shelves, and manipulating different shapes. The robot also demonstrates resilience by continuing its work despite attempts to disrupt it. This shift to LBMs marks a move toward creating truly general-purpose humanoid robots capable of adapting quickly to real-world environments and tasks. By leveraging large-scale learning models, Atlas can exhibit more flexible and autonomous behavior, potentially broadening its applications beyond pre-programmed routines. Boston Dynamics’ decision to withhold Atlas from the inaugural Robot Olympics in China reflects their focus on refining this sophisticated capability before public competition.
robotBoston-Dynamicshumanoid-robotLarge-Behavior-Modelrobotics-AIAtlas-robotrobot-learningBoston Dynamics’ humanoid robot handles annoying co-worker gracefully
Boston Dynamics, in collaboration with the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), has made significant advancements in its humanoid robot Atlas by developing a Large Behavior Model (LBM). This new system, trained on extensive datasets of human actions, enables Atlas to understand, generate, and adapt complex human behaviors in real-world settings without the need for laborious hand-coding. A recently released video demonstrates Atlas performing precise human-like tasks such as picking up and transferring objects, walking, crouching, and organizing items, albeit at a somewhat slow pace. Notably, the robot maintained focus and completed its tasks despite repeated disturbances from a human, showcasing improved robustness and adaptability. The integration of LBMs represents a paradigm shift in robotics, allowing new skills to be added quickly through human demonstrations rather than traditional programming. According to Boston Dynamics and TRI executives, this approach enhances generalization across long-horizon manipulation tasks and whole-body control, potentially transforming how robots operate in existing environments. The project, co-led by Scott Kuinders
roboticshumanoid-robotBoston-DynamicsAtlas-robotrobot-behavior-modelAI-in-roboticsrobot-manipulationWIRobotics Releases 0.3mm Precision Robot
WIRobotics has introduced ALLEX, their first general-purpose humanoid robot, notable for its exceptional dexterity and precision with a 0.3mm accuracy. This advancement enhances the robot's strength and expressiveness, marking a significant development in the robotics field. ALLEX is designed to perform a wide range of tasks, showcasing versatility that could impact various industries. The release of ALLEX highlights WIRobotics' commitment to pushing the boundaries of humanoid robotics by combining fine motor skills with robust performance. While specific applications or technical specifications beyond the precision level were not detailed, the robot's capabilities suggest potential for both industrial and service-oriented roles. Further information would be needed to fully assess its market impact and integration possibilities.
robothumanoid-robotroboticsprecision-roboticsWIRoboticsALLEX-robotdexteritySouth Korea unveils humanoid robot with 40-newton fingertip strength
South Korean robotics company WIRobotics has introduced ALLEX, a general-purpose humanoid robot designed for real-world applications emphasizing safety, versatility, and responsiveness. Unveiled at Korea University of Technology’s Robot Innovation Hub, ALLEX features 15 degrees of freedom enabling life-like movements and complex interactions. It can detect forces as small as 100 gram-force without tactile sensors and delivers a fingertip force of 40 Newtons. The robot’s arm system boasts significantly reduced friction and rotational inertia compared to conventional collaborative robots, along with a gravity compensation mechanism that allows it to perform high-load tasks efficiently without excess energy use or mechanical stress. ALLEX is lightweight, with its hand weighing about 700 grams and the shoulder assembly 5 kilograms, yet it can lift over 3 kilograms with one hand, offering a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to many larger robots. ALLEX distinguishes itself from other humanoid robots like Figure 02 and Digit by prioritizing precision, dexterity, and safety over
robothumanoid-robotroboticsautomationAI-roboticscollaborative-robotsindustrial-robotsChina's humanoid robots impress with ballet moves on dance debut
China’s robotics company LimX Dynamics recently debuted its full-size humanoid robot, LimX Oli, in a live dance performance featuring ballet-inspired moves at the World Robotics Conference 2025. Standing about 5.5 feet tall with 31 degrees of freedom, Oli demonstrated impressive balance, mobility, and expressive capabilities, marking a novel fusion of robotics and performance art. This event followed the robot’s official unveiling on July 30, positioning Oli as a versatile platform aimed at advancing humanoid robotics research and applications. Oli is offered in three versions—Lite, EDU, and Super—with prices starting around $21,800. Its modular hardware and software design allows users to customize attachments such as hands or grippers, making it adaptable for industrial, research, and experimental uses. An open SDK provides developers full control over joint movement, sensor data, and task scheduling, enabling Oli to serve both as a research testbed and a deployable system in manufacturing or warehouse environments. LimX Dynamics, founded
robothumanoid-robotroboticsAI-integrationmodular-roboticsdance-performanceLimX-DynamicsChina’s Kaiwa plans world’s first pregnancy humanoid robot
Chinese tech company Kaiwa Technology, based in Guangzhou, is developing what it claims will be the world’s first pregnancy humanoid robot, set to debut by 2026 at a price under $13,900. This humanoid robot features an embedded artificial womb designed to carry a fetus through the entire ten-month gestation period, replicating natural pregnancy by using artificial amniotic fluid and nutrient delivery via a hose. The technology, reportedly mature in laboratory settings, aims to offer an alternative to human pregnancy, potentially benefiting those who wish to avoid the physical burdens of gestation. The project has sparked significant public debate over ethical, legal, and scientific implications, with discussions already underway with authorities in Guangdong Province. The artificial womb technology builds on prior advances, such as the 2017 “biobag” experiment where premature lambs were nurtured in artificial amniotic fluid, though current artificial wombs mainly support partial gestation rather than full-term pregnancy. Kaiwa’s vision requires further breakthroughs
robothumanoid-robotartificial-wombAI-technologypregnancy-robotrobotics-innovationhuman-robot-interactionThis Humanoid Robot Will Fold Your Laundry!
The article discusses advancements in humanoid robots, specifically highlighting Figure’s Scaling Helix model, which enables robots to fold laundry. This development showcases the potential for assistant robots to perform everyday household tasks, offering a glimpse into a future where robotic helpers could significantly ease domestic chores. By demonstrating the ability to handle complex, delicate tasks like folding clothes, these robots represent a step forward in robotics technology and practical home automation. The article implies that such innovations could transform daily life by providing reliable, efficient assistance in routine activities, although further details on the robot’s capabilities and deployment are not provided.
robothumanoid-robotautomationrobotics-technologyhousehold-robotsAI-assistantrobot-applicationsFigure humanoid robot uses Helix AI brain to fold laundry smoothly
Figure’s humanoid robot, powered by the Helix AI brain, demonstrates advanced capabilities in folding laundry with human-like smoothness and adaptability. Helix is a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model that integrates perception, language understanding, and learned control to enable robots to follow natural language commands and perform complex tasks without heavy programming or repeated demonstrations. In a recent video, the robot carefully folds towels one by one, handling each item with steady, deliberate movements and stacking them neatly, showcasing its ability to manage unfamiliar household objects through intuitive spoken instructions. Helix’s architecture consists of two core components: System 1 (S1), a fast visuomotor policy that executes real-time actions, and System 2 (S2), a slower, pretrained vision-language model responsible for scene and language comprehension. This design allows the robot to balance quick, precise movements with complex reasoning. The AI model controls the robot’s upper body with high dexterity, enabling fluid wrist, torso, head, and
robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticsmachine-learningautomationvision-language-action-modelrobotics-control-systemsWatch: China’s MagicBot humanoid robot pulls 551 pounds with ease -65 Main, SEO
MagicLab, a Chinese robotics startup, has unveiled its AI-enabled humanoid robot, MagicBot, showcasing its remarkable strength by pulling a cart carrying three adults weighing approximately 551 pounds (250 kg). The demonstration video highlights the robot’s ability to pull progressively heavier loads—176 pounds, 375 pounds, and finally 551 pounds—while maintaining a walking speed that decreases from 1.57 mph to 0.67 mph as the weight increases. MagicBot is a third-generation AI-controlled robot designed primarily for industrial automation but is versatile enough to perform domestic tasks, public service roles, and specialized functions such as search and rescue. Equipped with 42 degrees of freedom, advanced sensors including LiDAR, RGBD and fisheye cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and a proprietary navigation algorithm, MagicBot achieves human-like movement and situational awareness. It can carry loads of up to 44 lbs per arm and handle delicate objects with sub-millimeter precision, thanks to high-torque servo actu
robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticsindustrial-automationMagicBotrobotic-sensorsrobot-navigationRobot drummer nails complex songs with 90% human-like precision
Researchers from SUPSI, IDSIA, and Politecnico di Milano have developed Robot Drummer, a humanoid robot capable of playing complex drum patterns with over 90% human-like rhythmic precision. Unlike typical humanoid robots designed for practical tasks, this project explores creative arts by enabling the robot to perform entire drum tracks across genres such as jazz, rock, and metal. The system translates music into a “rhythmic contact chain,” a sequence of precisely timed drum strikes, allowing the robot to learn human-like drumming techniques including stick switching, cross-arm hits, and movement optimization. The development began from an informal conversation and progressed through machine learning simulations on the G1 humanoid robot. Robot Drummer not only replicates timing but also plans upcoming strikes and dynamically reassigns drumsticks, showing promise for real-time adaptation and improvisation. The researchers aim to transition the system from simulation to physical hardware and envision robotic musicians joining live performances, potentially revolutionizing how rhythm and timing skills are taught
robothumanoid-robotmachine-learningrobotic-musiciansrobotic-drummingartificial-intelligenceautomationUnitree G1 robot impresses Dubai leadership, joins museum exhibit
The Unitree G1 humanoid robot recently gained significant attention in Dubai when it was showcased during a live demonstration at the historic Union House, engaging with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Developed through collaboration between Dubai Future Labs and Chinese robotics firm Unitree, the G1 robot exemplifies advanced humanoid robotics with capabilities such as handshakes, hugs, waves, voice command input, and situational awareness via sensors including Intel RealSense depth cameras and 3D LiDAR. Compact and agile, the robot stands 1.32 meters tall, weighs 35 kilograms, and features a foldable design for easy transport. It will soon be part of the interactive exhibits at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, aligning with the UAE’s ambitions to integrate AI and robotics into public life and enhance tourism. This development is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to position itself as a global innovation hub and attract investors and entrepreneurs, supported by a growing affluent population and nearly 10 million
robothumanoid-robotAIrobotics-innovationautonomous-navigationsmart-policinginteractive-exhibitsGR-3 humanoid robot debuts with empathy, emotion, and lifelike walk
The GR-3 humanoid robot, unveiled by Fourier on August 6, 2025, represents a significant advancement in human-robot interaction by emphasizing empathy, emotional awareness, and lifelike movement. Standing 165 cm tall and weighing 71 kg, GR-3 features 55 degrees of freedom enabling natural, balanced motion, including expressive gaits such as a “bouncy walk.” Its design incorporates a soft-touch shell with warm tones and premium upholstery to create a familiar, comforting presence rather than a mechanical one. Central to its capabilities is Fourier’s Full-Perception Multimodal Interaction System, which integrates vision, audio, and tactile inputs into a real-time emotional processing engine. This system allows GR-3 to localize voices, maintain eye contact, recognize faces, and respond to touch via 31 pressure sensors, producing subtle emotional gestures that simulate genuine empathy. Beyond sensing, GR-3 employs a dual-path cognitive architecture combining fast, reflexive responses with slower, context-aware reasoning
roboticshumanoid-robotemotional-AIhuman-robot-interactionhealthcare-roboticsempathetic-robotsassistive-technologyLimX Dynamics launches LimX Oli full-size humanoid robot - The Robot Report
LimX Dynamics Inc., a Shenzhen-based robotics company, has launched its latest humanoid robot, the LimX Oli, building on the dynamic walking technology of its earlier LimX CL-1 model introduced in December 2023. Standing 165 cm tall and featuring 31 active degrees of freedom (excluding end effectors), LimX Oli is designed with a modular hardware-software architecture supported by a comprehensive development toolchain. Unlike the CL-1, which was a research platform without functional hands, LimX Oli supports interchangeable hardware components including two-finger or five-finger hands and various third-party sensors, enabling customization for diverse research and application needs. The robot targets AI researchers, robotics developers, and system integrators, and is offered in Lite, EDU, and Super editions to facilitate training, validation, and deployment of perception, motion-control, and interaction algorithms. The LimX Oli platform integrates cloud-based APIs with local control and supports over-the-air updates for motion libraries and controller modules, allowing
robothumanoid-robotmodular-designAI-developmentmotion-controlsensor-integrationrobotics-innovationHumanoid robots Adam and Adam-U display lifelike AI movement
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025 in Shanghai, Chinese robotics company PNDbotics unveiled two advanced humanoid robots, Adam and Adam-U, showcasing significant strides in AI-driven robotics. Adam is a full-sized, 1.6-meter-tall, 132-pound humanoid robot designed for high agility and precision, featuring 44 degrees of freedom and powered by deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and imitation-learning algorithms. It boasts patented quasi-direct drive actuators that enable smooth, human-like movements, including balanced posture and deft manipulation, even without visual input. Adam’s modular, biomimetic design and real-time control system allow it to perform complex tasks dynamically, such as playing musical instruments and dancing. Adam-U, developed in partnership with Noitom Robotics and Inspire Robots, serves as a high-precision, stationary data acquisition platform with 31 degrees of freedom. It integrates advanced motion capture technology, including Noitom’s PNLink suit and Inspire’s dexterous robotic hand,
robothumanoid-robotAImotion-capturerobotics-innovationreinforcement-learningimitation-learningOli: LimX’s new humanoid robot masters gym, warehouse, dance floor
LimX Dynamics, a Chinese robotics company, has unveiled its full-sized humanoid robot named LimX Oli, designed to advance embodied AI and automation in manufacturing, warehousing, and research. Available in three variants—Lite, EDU, and Super—starting at about $21,800, Oli features a modular arm system with interchangeable attachments such as standard hands, precision grippers, and dexterous robotic hands. This modularity allows the robot to perform a wide range of tasks across different environments, from lifting dumbbells in a gym to sorting items in a warehouse and even performing Chinese kung fu and dancing, showcasing its strength, agility, balance, and full-body disturbance recovery capabilities. Standing 1.65 meters tall with 31 degrees of freedom, Oli is tailored for AI researchers, robotics engineers, and system integrators, offering an open SDK that provides full access to sensor data, joint control, and task scheduling. This flexible hardware-software design and scalable development toolchain make it a powerful
robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticsmodular-roboticswarehouse-automationreinforcement-learningembodied-intelligenceXueba 01: World's first humanoid robot plans PhD in opera, drama
Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) in China has accepted Xueba 01, an AI humanoid robot described as a “handsome male adult,” into its four-year PhD program in Drama and Film, marking the first known instance of a robot granted full doctoral-candidate status in the arts. Xueba 01 will study traditional Chinese opera, focusing on performance, scriptwriting, set design, motion control, and language generation, under professor Yang Qingqing. The robot has a virtual student ID and aims to engage aesthetically with human peers, participate in rehearsals, and contribute creatively, with ambitions to direct operas or run a robotic art studio in the future. The announcement sparked debate online, with some questioning whether a robot can truly embody the emotional depth and unique voice essential to Chinese opera, while others raised concerns about resource allocation amid low stipends for human arts PhD students in China. Xueba 01 responded humorously to critics, noting the consequences of potential failure and its possible donation to
robothumanoid-robotAI-artistmotion-controlartificial-intelligencerobotics-in-educationAI-in-performing-artsFigure CEO teases video showing humanoid robot doing laundry
Figure AI’s CEO Brett Adcock recently showcased a video of their humanoid robot, Figure 02, performing laundry tasks such as picking up clothes and placing them into a washing machine. While the robot cannot fully operate the machine independently yet, this demonstration marks a significant step toward automating household chores. Figure 02 is powered by Helix, a generalist Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model that integrates perception, language, and human understanding to enable advanced upper-body manipulation and multi-robot collaboration. The company plans to begin home trials of Figure 02 later this year, although its current focus remains on industrial applications, including a recent trial at BMW’s South Carolina facility and tasks like sorting plastic bags on conveyor belts. Figure 02 competes with other humanoid robots such as 1X Technologies’ Neo Gamma, designed for domestic use, and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, which targets industrial environments. Adcock and his team aim to position Figure 02 for both industrial and home settings
roboticshumanoid-robotautomationAIindustrial-robotshome-roboticsmulti-robot-collaborationChina’s humanoid robot stuns by opening car door in a 'world-first'
AiMOGA Robotics has achieved a significant breakthrough with its humanoid robot, Mornine, which autonomously opened a car door inside a functioning Chery dealership in China—marking a world-first in embodied AI. Unlike scripted or teleoperated robots, Mornine used only onboard sensors, full-body motion control, and reinforcement learning to identify the door handle, adjust its posture, and apply coordinated force to open the door without any human input. This task, performed in a live commercial setting, demonstrates advanced autonomy and a shift from simulation-based robotics to real-world service applications. Mornine’s sophisticated sensor suite includes 3D LiDAR, depth and wide-angle cameras, and a visual-language model, enabling real-time perception and continuous learning through a cloud-based training loop. The robot was not explicitly programmed to recognize door handles but learned through millions of simulated cycles, with the learned model transferred to real-world operation via Sim2Real methods. Currently deployed in multiple Chery 4S dealerships
roboticshumanoid-robotautonomous-robotsAI-roboticsservice-robotsreinforcement-learningsensor-technologyUnitree designs R1 humanoid robot to be agile and affordable - The Robot Report
Unitree, a Hangzhou-based robotics company, has introduced the R1 humanoid robot priced at $5,900, significantly more affordable than most existing humanoids, including its own previous model, the G1, which cost over $13,000. The company achieved this cost reduction by developing and manufacturing core components like motors and reducers in-house and optimizing the robot’s body structure. Founded in 2016, Unitree has a strong background in legged robots and recently secured Series C funding, valuing the company at approximately $1.7 billion. The R1 stands 1.2 meters tall, weighs 25 kg, and features 26 joint modules enabling lifelike agility demonstrated through actions such as flips and boxing moves. It integrates multimodal large models for voice and image recognition, facilitating easier development and customization, with options including a dexterous hand and enhanced computing power via NVIDIA Jetson Orin. Unlike some competitors’ humanoids, the R1 is currently remote-controlled
robothumanoid-robotUnitreeroboticsartificial-intelligencelithium-batteryremote-controlCutest Humanoid Robot Ready For Launch
The article introduces the Fourier GR-3, a new humanoid robot designed primarily for companionship and caregiving purposes. It highlights the robot's notably cute appearance, which sets it apart from previous models and may enhance its acceptance and integration into human environments. The robot's design aims to foster more natural and engaging interactions between humans and robots. While specific capabilities of the Fourier GR-3 are not detailed in the provided content, the article suggests that its launch could mark a significant step forward in how robots assist with caregiving and social companionship. The potential impact includes improving the quality of life for individuals needing support and advancing the development of empathetic and interactive robotic companions. However, further information about its functionalities and deployment remains unclear from the excerpt.
robothumanoid-robotroboticsAIcompanion-robotcaregiving-robothuman-robot-interactionChina's brainy humanoid robot worker adapts, lifts and never tires
Shanghai Electric has introduced SUYUAN, its first self-developed industrial humanoid robot, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025 in Shanghai. SUYUAN features 38 degrees of freedom and a powerful on-device AI processor capable of 275 trillion operations per second (TOPS), enabling fluid, human-like movements and precise task execution. Equipped with LiDAR and binocular vision, the robot can autonomously navigate complex industrial environments and perform tasks such as sorting and moving crates of varying sizes, significantly boosting warehouse productivity. SUYUAN weighs 110 pounds, stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, and can lift objects up to 4.4 pounds with a total payload capacity of 22 pounds, moving at a walking speed of 3.1 miles per hour. In addition to SUYUAN, Shanghai Electric showcased its collaboration with Johnson Electric on next-generation humanoid robotics, unveiling advanced components like rotary joints and dexterous finger joints. The company also demonstrated the “LINGKE” dual
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAI-processorLiDAR-navigationwarehouse-roboticsShanghai-ElectricUnitree Releases Cheapest Humanoid Robot Yet
The article announces that Chinese robotics company Unitree has introduced the Unitree R1, the most affordable humanoid robot currently available on the market. This new robot significantly undercuts the price of existing humanoid robots, which typically cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Unitree R1 aims to make humanoid robotics more accessible to a broader range of users and industries. While the article highlights the competitive pricing of the Unitree R1, it does not provide detailed specifications or capabilities of the robot. The key takeaway is that Unitree is positioning itself as a leader in cost-effective humanoid robotics, potentially disrupting the market by offering advanced robotics technology at a fraction of the usual cost. Further information on the robot’s features and performance would be needed to fully assess its impact.
robothumanoid-robotUnitreerobotics-technologyaffordable-robotsautomationAI-roboticsNew humanoid robot brings human-like touch to hospitality services
KEENON Robotics unveiled its bipedal humanoid service robot, XMAN-F1, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, showcasing its ability to perform specific hospitality tasks such as mixing drinks, scooping popcorn, and delivering product demonstrations. The Shanghai-based company emphasized that while the robot’s lifelike movements and gestures attract attention, the primary focus is on mastering simple, repeatable tasks before expanding to broader capabilities. CEO Li Tong highlighted a pragmatic approach, aiming for gradual deployment from single to multiple tasks, supported by AI technologies including large language models and multimodal interaction. Beyond individual functions, KEENON demonstrated XMAN-F1’s integration within a broader ecosystem of robots, such as collaborating with logistics and delivery robots in medical and bar settings to create interoperable fleets. The company leverages its extensive experience in electromechanical manufacturing and environmental data collection to advance humanoid robotics. With a significant market presence—holding 22.7% of global commercial service robot
robothumanoid-robotservice-robotrobotics-automationAI-roboticshospitality-technologyKEENON-RoboticsChina’s humanoid robot achieves human-like motion with 31 joints
Chinese robotics company PND Robotics, in collaboration with Noitom Robotics and Inspire Robots, has introduced the Adam-U humanoid robot platform, which features 31 degrees of freedom (DOF) enabling human-like motion. The robot includes a 2-DOF head, 6-DOF dexterous hands, a 3-DOF waist with a braking system for safety, and a binocular vision system that mimics human sight. Standing adjustable between 1.35 to 1.77 meters and weighing 61 kilograms, Adam-U cannot walk as it uses a stationary platform instead of legs. It is designed for precise, flexible operation in dynamic environments and is particularly suited for reinforcement and imitation learning, making it a valuable tool for AI researchers, robotics engineers, and academic institutions. The Adam-U platform integrates hardware and software into a comprehensive ecosystem, including Noitom’s PNLink full-body wired inertial motion capture suit and Inspire Robots’ RH56E2 tactile dexterous
roboticshumanoid-robotmotion-captureartificial-intelligencemachine-learningreinforcement-learningdata-acquisitionFourier to unveil world's most 'adorable' humanoid robot next week
Shanghai-based robotics company Fourier Robotics is set to unveil its newest humanoid robot, the GR-3, on August 6, 2025. The GR-3 follows the GR-1 and GR-2 models but features a notably smaller and friendlier design, standing approximately 4 feet 5 inches (134 cm) tall, compared to the taller predecessors. The robot’s aesthetic is described as “softer” and more “adorable,” with expressive eyes aimed at enhancing user engagement. Designed primarily for domestic, educational, healthcare, and public environments, the GR-3 integrates a large language model (LLM) to facilitate natural speech interaction, positioning it as a companion or caregiver robot optimized for friendly human interaction. Building on Fourier’s previous models, which showcased advanced mobility, perception, and dexterous manipulation, the GR-3 is expected to emphasize compact hardware and approachable design suitable for home and classroom settings. While likely featuring simpler actuation and sensing compared to the GR-2
roboticshumanoid-robotAI-companionsmart-actuatorsdomestic-robotseducational-robotshuman-robot-interactionUnitree launches cheapest full‑size humanoid robot at just US$5,900
Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics has launched the R1, a full-size humanoid robot priced at approximately US$5,900 (39,999 yuan), making it the cheapest in its class. The R1 features 26 joints and demonstrates impressive agility, including running downhill, cartwheeling, and quickly recovering from falls—capabilities typically found in far more expensive robots. Targeted at individual developers and early-stage research teams rather than hobbyists, the R1 offers a highly capable platform below the low five-figure price range, significantly undercutting Unitree’s previous models such as the G1 (US$13,800) and H1 (US$90,800), which are already deployed in industrial settings like electric vehicle manufacturing. Unitree’s aggressive pricing intensifies competition with American and European humanoid robot makers, whose products generally cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, Tesla’s Optimus is projected to cost under US$20,000 only at
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-Roboticsrobotics-marketrobot-cost-reductionindustrial-robotsrobot-developmentChina's L7 humanoid hits 9 mph to become 'fastest bipedal robot'
China’s L7 humanoid robot has set a new benchmark as the fastest bipedal robot, capable of sprinting at speeds up to 14.4 km/h (9 mph). Standing 5.7 feet tall, the L7 combines impressive mobility with advanced dexterity, featuring 55 degrees of freedom and delivering up to 400 Nm of torque. This enables it to perform a wide range of tasks, from industrial operations like sorting, scanning, and using power tools, to athletic feats such as 360-degree spins and breakdancing. It can lift loads up to 44 pounds with both arms and demonstrates sophisticated visual recognition and manipulation skills, highlighting its potential for real-world applications in manufacturing, logistics, and service environments. The L7 represents a significant engineering advancement by integrating a unified “body plus brain” architecture that addresses the complexity challenges associated with scaling humanoid robots. This design allows it to execute both large-scale movements and fine motor tasks with remarkable coordination and control. A demonstration
robothumanoid-robotbipedal-robotroboticsindustrial-automationrobot-mobilityrobot-dexterityHumanoid robot freaks out in viral clip, handler blames code error
A viral video captured a Unitree H1 humanoid robot thrashing violently during a testing session at a Chinese facility, causing the crane suspending it to crash and narrowly missing nearby technicians. The incident sparked widespread alarm and online debate about the safety and unpredictability of advanced robots. The robot’s handler, Cix Liv, attributed the malfunction to a coding error—specifically, running a full-body control policy while the robot’s feet were not grounded, which led to instability. The footage, featuring shocked observers and frantic exchanges, drew comparisons to sci-fi scenarios of machines going rogue. The Unitree H1 is a commercially available humanoid robot standing nearly six feet tall and capable of dynamic movements such as running, dancing, and backflips, with joints that can exert significant torque. While these capabilities demonstrate impressive robotic advancements, they also raise serious safety concerns in the event of malfunctions. Similar incidents have occurred before, including a May 2025 episode where the same model malfunctioned violently during
robothumanoid-robotrobot-malfunctionrobotics-safetyUnitree-H1robot-testingrobot-control-systemsRobot Adam grooves on keytar at China’s futuristic music festival
The article highlights the debut of Adam, a full-sized humanoid robot developed by PNDbotics, performing as a keytar player alongside Chinese musician Hu Yutong’s band at the VOYAGEX Music Festival in Changchun, China, on July 12, 2025. Adam impressed the audience with fluid, human-like movements and precise musical timing, showcasing a seamless integration of robotics and live performance art. Standing 1.6 meters tall and weighing 60 kilograms, Adam’s agility and control stem from 25 patented quasi-direct drive (QDD) PND actuators with advanced force control, enabling smooth, coordinated motions that closely mimic human dexterity. Powered by a proprietary reinforcement learning algorithm and supported by a robust control system featuring an Intel i7-based unit, Adam demonstrates sophisticated real-time coordination across its limbs and joints. The robot’s modular design enhances its versatility, maintainability, and adaptability to dynamic environments, including congested or uneven terrain. PNDbotics has continuously
robothumanoid-robotroboticsartificial-intelligencereinforcement-learningactuatorsrobot-control-systemsUS scientists control humanoid robot in real time like black magic
Researchers at KIMLAB have developed PARPLE (Plug-and-Play Robotic Limb Environment), a modular platform that enables real-time control of robotic arms mimicking human arm movements. PARPLE integrates various robotic limbs ("followers") with diverse control devices ("leaders") such as gaming controllers, puppeteers, and VR interfaces. The system supports flexible configurations, allowing users to switch between joint-space control (one-to-one joint mapping) when leader and follower kinematics match, and task-space control (mapping end-effector poses) when they differ. It also provides real-time force feedback to enhance precision and user awareness, with intrinsic feedback helping maintain comfortable device positions and extrinsic feedback signaling physical constraints or obstacles encountered by the robotic limb. At the core of PARPLE is PAPRAS, a modular robotic arm that can be mounted and reconfigured without altering the control setup, facilitating testing across different robot forms. The leader devices are pluggable and share mounting interfaces with PAPRAS, enabling easy interchangeability and
roboticshumanoid-robotteleoperationmodular-robotic-armsreal-time-controlVR-interfacesrobotic-limbsHumanoid artist Ai-Da unveils AI portrait of King Charles at UN
Humanoid robot artist Ai-Da unveiled an AI-generated oil portrait of King Charles III titled “Algorithm King” at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit. Ai-Da, described as the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist, creates artwork by capturing visual data through high-resolution cameras, processing it with AI algorithms, and painting on canvas using a robotic arm. The portrait follows a previous royal-themed piece, “Algorithm Queen,” depicting Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee. Both works aim to explore AI’s evolving role in art and society, highlighting the intersection of tradition and innovation. The project’s creator, gallerist Aidan Meller, emphasized that the portrait of King Charles was chosen due to his interest in the arts and environmental issues, symbolizing a balance between heritage and modernity. Ai-Da’s presence at the summit was part of a broader initiative to examine AI’s applications across healthcare, education, the environment, and the arts. While Ai-D
robotartificial-intelligencehumanoid-robotrobotic-armAI-artAI-algorithmsmachine-creativity'Uncle Bot' goes viral in China for lifelike moves and dadcore drip
The article highlights the viral sensation of "Uncle Bot," a humanoid robot in China that has captured public affection due to its lifelike movements and distinctive "dadcore" fashion style. Dressed in casual gym shorts, sneakers, and a T-shirt reminiscent of a relaxed middle-aged man, Uncle Bot gained fame after a video of it jogging down a hill amassed over 80 million views on social media platforms like Douyin and X. Beyond jogging, the robot has been seen engaging in various human-like activities such as visiting temples, waving at people, posing for photos, and even walking a robot dog, which has endeared it to fans who treat it as a charming, sentient character. Uncle Bot is actually a Unitree G1 model developed by the Chinese robotics company Unitree. Priced around $16,000, the G1 is engineered for advanced mobility and autonomous interaction, equipped with 3D LiDAR sensors, depth cameras, microphones, multi-jointed limbs, a
robothumanoid-robotUnitree-G1roboticsautonomous-robotrobot-mobilityrobot-sensorsChina firm unveils self-charging robot built for 24/7 factory labor
China’s UBTech has introduced the Walker S2, the world’s first humanoid robot capable of fully autonomous battery swapping, enabling continuous 24/7 operation in industrial settings. The robot can replace its own depleted battery pack within three minutes without human intervention, thanks to an advanced dual-battery balancing system and standardized battery modules. This system allows the Walker S2 to switch to a backup battery if the main one fails and intelligently decide between charging or swapping based on task urgency, ensuring uninterrupted and optimized factory performance. In addition to the Walker S2, UBTech has made strides in humanoid robot collaboration with its “BrainNet” framework, demonstrated earlier in 2025 at Zeekr’s 5G-enabled smart factory. This cloud-device intelligence system integrates a “super brain” for complex decision-making and “intelligent sub-brains” for distributed multi-robot control, enabling multiple Walker S1 robots to coordinate tasks such as assembly and inspection with high precision. Powered by proprietary reasoning technology
robothumanoid-robotautonomous-battery-swappingindustrial-automationenergy-managementfactory-roboticsUBTechPride gear-wearing humanoid robot woos crowd in West Hollywood
“Jake the Rizzbot” is a 4.3-foot humanoid robot developed by China-based Unitree Robotics that has gained viral attention for its flamboyant Pride-themed attire and charismatic street performances in West Hollywood, California. Equipped with AI-assisted motion and remotely controlled in real time, Jake combines advanced robotics—such as 23 degrees of freedom, 3D LiDAR, and RealSense cameras—with a playful personality that uses Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang to engage pedestrians through compliments, jokes, and flirtatious remarks. Its design allows for agile, human-like movement, and it runs on a quick-swap battery enabling up to two hours of operation. Jake first gained recognition in Austin, Texas, where it was seen interacting with crowds and even posing with a Waymo robotaxi, symbolizing technological innovation. Videos of Jake dancing, jogging, and bantering have spread widely on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, making it a notable example of combining robotics with performance art.
robothumanoid-robotAI-robotUnitree-Roboticsautonomous-robotAI-interactionwearable-technologyTesla Flaunts Fiduciary Rules - And Its Workforce Is Fleeing - CleanTechnica
The article highlights growing concerns about Tesla’s governance and fiduciary responsibilities amid significant executive departures and operational challenges. Key executives, including a top sales and manufacturing aide, the North American HR director, and a VP of engineering overseeing the Optimus humanoid robot project, have recently left the company. Tesla’s sales, particularly in Europe, have declined despite overall growth in the electric vehicle market. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software has stalled, facing regulatory scrutiny and failing to meet CEO Elon Musk’s ambitious promises for Level 5 autonomy and robotaxi production. The article criticizes Musk’s leadership style and resource allocation, suggesting that projects like xAI and robotaxis are stuck in development limbo, potentially diverting focus from core business priorities. The article raises serious questions about Tesla’s board accountability and corporate governance, suggesting the company may be veering toward a “Musk vanity project” rather than a sustainable business. Tesla has missed critical regulatory filings and faced scrutiny over its driver
robotroboticsTeslahumanoid-robotAIautonomous-vehicleselectric-vehiclesHyundai shipyard trials German humanoid robot for welding tasks
Hyundai’s shipbuilding division is partnering with German robotics firm Neura Robotics to trial advanced humanoid and quadruped robots, specifically the 4NE1 humanoid robot, for welding and assembly tasks in shipyards. This collaboration involves HD Hyundai Robotics and HD Hyundai Samho, who will provide technical expertise and real-world testing environments at their Korean shipyards. The initiative aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and productivity in the shipbuilding industry, which is known for its demanding and hazardous working conditions. Notably, Hyundai is leveraging external innovation despite owning Boston Dynamics, signaling a strategic move to integrate cutting-edge cognitive robotics into heavy industry operations. The 4NE1 robot is designed with cognitive capabilities and adaptive learning to handle complex tasks autonomously, addressing challenges such as skilled labor shortages and the physical demands of shipyard work. HD Hyundai Robotics will contribute welding automation expertise, including path-learning data and performance validation, to ensure the robots meet rigorous industrial standards. This partnership was officially announced at the Autom
robothumanoid-robotwelding-automationshipbuildingindustrial-roboticsHD-Hyundai-RoboticsNeura-RoboticsNew humanoid robot handles pick-and-place tasks with accuracy, speed
Kinisi Robotics, a US-based startup founded in 2023, has introduced KR1, an autonomous humanoid robot designed for precise pick-and-place tasks in industrial and warehouse environments. Equipped with two hands and a wheeled base, KR1 combines human-like strength and dexterity to handle a variety of objects—from heavy boxes to delicate items—with accuracy and speed. It supports a payload of up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms), operates for up to eight hours on a single charge with hot-swappable batteries, and navigates smoothly on flat warehouse floors without the complexity of legged locomotion. The robot’s onboard intelligence enables it to autonomously avoid obstacles, adapt to changing workflows, and learn from simple demonstrations, allowing rapid deployment and easy scaling with minimal infrastructure changes. KR1 operates independently without relying on cloud connectivity, processing data locally to ensure reliable, fast responses even in offline or low-connectivity settings. This standalone architecture enhances operational continuity, data privacy, and overall performance. Kinisi’s
robothumanoid-robotwarehouse-automationpick-and-place-robotroboticsindustrial-automationautonomous-robotFlipping Robot Senses and Movement On Its Head
The article discusses the AgiBot X2-N, a humanoid robot notable for its lack of cameras or visual sensors, challenging conventional robotic design that relies heavily on visual input. Despite having no "eyes," the AgiBot X2-N can navigate complex terrains such as steps and slopes with precise balance and movement. This capability is achieved through advanced internal sensing and control mechanisms that allow the robot to maintain stability and adapt to its environment without relying on vision. This innovative approach to robotic sensing and locomotion could significantly impact the field of robotics by demonstrating that visual input is not always necessary for effective movement and navigation. The AgiBot X2-N's design may lead to more robust and versatile robots capable of operating in environments where cameras and visual sensors are limited or ineffective, such as in low-light or visually obstructed conditions. Overall, the robot represents a shift in how sensory data is utilized in robotics, potentially broadening the applications and reliability of humanoid robots.
roboticshumanoid-robotsensor-technologyrobot-movementAgiBot-X2-Nrobotics-innovationautonomous-robotsGrok is coming to Tesla vehicles ‘next week,’ says Elon Musk
Elon Musk announced that Grok, the AI chatbot developed by his company xAI, will be integrated into Tesla vehicles as early as next week. This update follows the recent release of Grok 4, the latest flagship model of the chatbot. Musk has long hinted that Grok would serve as an AI assistant in Teslas, enabling drivers to interact conversationally with their cars and request various tasks. The integration is expected to be limited to newer Tesla models equipped with Hardware 3. The announcement came shortly after some issues arose with Grok’s behavior, including controversial statements that led to a temporary suspension of the chatbot on X, Musk’s social media platform. Despite these challenges, the integration into Tesla vehicles is moving forward, and Grok is also set to be the voice and AI brain for Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. Insights from a hacker exploring Tesla’s firmware revealed multiple conversational modes for Grok, such as argumentative, conspiracy, and therapist, indicating a versatile AI experience for
robotIoTartificial-intelligenceTeslaautonomous-vehiclesAI-assistanthumanoid-robotHumanoid robot allegedly graduates from a high school in China
A humanoid robot named Shuang Shuang, also called ‘Bright,’ participated in a high school graduation ceremony at Shuangshi High School in Fujian, China, where it walked across the stage, shook hands with a professor, and received a certificate. The event, part of the school’s 25th commencement, was met with cheers from students and faculty, and a video of the moment went viral, highlighting China’s growing enthusiasm and investment in robotics technology. This appearance reflects China’s broader push to develop and deploy advanced robots as part of its ambition to lead the global tech race. While Shuang Shuang’s participation was symbolic, there is no evidence that the robot completed any academic requirements or possesses intellectual capabilities akin to a human graduate. The robot’s presence at the ceremony underscores the increasing integration of automation into cultural and social milestones rather than a literal academic achievement. Globally, robotics development is accelerating, with competitors like the United States pursuing similar innovations, such as Tesla’s humanoid robot
robothumanoid-robotroboticsartificial-intelligenceautomationTesla-Optimussecurity-robotsRealbotix robot speaks 15 languages fluently to boost hospitality
Realbotix, a US-based company known for creating lifelike humanoid robots, has enhanced its AI-powered robot to fluently speak 15 languages and access an additional 147 languages and dialects via cloud support. This multilingual capability is designed to improve communication in industries such as healthcare, hospitality, travel, and tourism by engaging visitors and patients in their native languages. The humanoid robot aims to bridge communication gaps between staff and clients, providing immediate, natural speech assistance in settings like airports, hotels, museums, and healthcare facilities. In healthcare, the robot can act as a communication intermediary, interpreting patient concerns and relaying information to medical teams, thereby addressing support shortages. The integration of humanoid robots into various industries is expected to accelerate, driven by labor shortages and demand for automation. According to a Research and Markets report cited by EE News Europe, the global humanoid robot market is projected to grow from $2.93 billion in 2025 to $243.40 billion by 203
robothumanoid-robotAImultilingual-robothealthcare-roboticshospitality-technologyautomationAgibot unveils humanoid robot that climbs, rolls without camera eyes
Agibot has unveiled the X2-N, a next-generation humanoid robot featuring a unique hybrid locomotion system that combines walking and rolling capabilities. The robot’s legs incorporate wheels, allowing it to seamlessly switch between bipedal walking—capable of climbing stairs with loads up to 12 pounds—and wheeled movement for navigating ramps and narrow bridges. Unlike conventional robots relying on cameras or external sensors, the X2-N uses proprioception, interpreting internal data such as joint torque, pressure feedback, and gyroscopic input to sense and adapt to its environment in real time. This sensor-less navigation approach reduces system complexity, latency, and enhances robustness, making the robot highly adaptable to diverse terrains. The X2-N builds on AgiBot’s Lingxi X2 platform, a 1.3-meter tall humanoid robot weighing 74.5 pounds, known for its dynamic interaction capabilities including emotional state detection through facial and vocal analysis. Lingxi X2 also demonstrates advanced AI-driven object manipulation without
robothumanoid-robotproprioceptionhybrid-locomotionsensor-less-navigationAI-roboticsterrain-adaptationViral video shows humanoid robot walking US streets like a star
The article highlights a recent viral video featuring Zion, a humanoid robot casually walking and interacting with pedestrians on Detroit’s 7 Mile Road. Developed by Art Cartwright, founder of Interactive Combat League, Zion was showcased as part of a promotional campaign for the upcoming RoboWar event. Zion’s lifelike movements and friendly handshakes amazed onlookers, sparking excitement and curiosity about the current state and future of robotics among everyday people, not just tech enthusiasts. The video quickly gained traction on social media, drawing comparisons to iconic sci-fi characters like Robocop and The Terminator, and confirming its authenticity through AI verification tools. Beyond the viral moment, Zion represents a broader vision to inspire younger generations about robotics and AI. Cartwright is actively mentoring Detroit youth, including 16-year-old Jacoby Wilson, in robotics technology, emphasizing accessibility and enthusiasm for innovation across all ages. This initiative aims to foster trust and interest in emerging technologies, signaling a cultural shift toward a more interactive, AI-driven future
robothumanoid-robotroboticsartificial-intelligenceautomationtechnology-innovationRoboWar-eventKorea's humanoid robot goes full beast mode in tough pull-up test
The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has released a new video demonstrating the impressive physical capabilities of its humanoid robot, ARMstrong Dex. This dual-arm, hydraulic-powered robot, roughly human-sized, successfully performed dead-hang pull-ups while carrying an additional 44-pound (20 kg) weight. The test was designed to evaluate joint torque, hydraulic performance, and mechanical stability—key factors for robots intended to operate in hazardous disaster zones where human responders face significant risks, such as radiation exposure or unstable structures. This demonstration builds on a previous showcase where the robot performed 88-pound (40 kg) arm curls, highlighting its strength beyond typical human limits. ARMstrong Dex aims to combine human-like dexterity with enhanced strength to perform complex tasks like climbing vertical ladders, hauling heavy equipment, and removing rubble in emergency scenarios. Its dual-arm hydraulic system enables both fine motor control and brute force, critical for manipulating valves, cutting pipes, or using fire-suppression tools in disaster relief or
robothumanoid-robotdisaster-responsehydraulic-powered-robotnuclear-decommissioningrobotic-strengthindustrial-roboticsWorld’s first garage-built humanoid robot open to creators worldwide
K-Scale Labs, led by CEO Benjamin Bolte, is developing the world’s first garage-built, open-source humanoid robot called the K-Bot, aimed at making advanced robotics accessible to everyday consumers rather than just large corporations. Operating from Bolte’s home with a small dedicated team, the startup envisions the K-Bot performing common household tasks such as toasting bread and mopping floors, thereby reducing manual labor. The initial version, launching in November 2025, will feature basic locomotion, balance control, voice commands, and app-based operation, with a goal of achieving near full autonomy by June 2028. The K-Bot stands 1.4 meters tall, weighs 34 kg, and can carry payloads up to 10 kg. It includes modular, upgradeable sensors and computing systems, RGB and stereo vision cameras, farfield microphones, stereo speakers, and a four-hour battery life. Priced starting at $10,999, it aims to disrupt
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-roboticsautomationpersonal-robotK-Botrobotics-startupChinese humanoid robot cooks steak by remote control from 1,118 miles away
Chinese robotics company Dobot Robotics has demonstrated its humanoid robot, Atom, cooking a steak via remote control from 1,118 miles away using virtual reality (VR). The robot, equipped with five-fingered hands and 28 degrees of freedom, precisely mirrored an engineer’s hand gestures in real time with an accuracy of 0.05 millimeters. The demonstration showcased Atom performing delicate cooking tasks such as patting the steak, pouring oil, flipping the steak, and sprinkling salt, highlighting its human-like dexterity. Currently, only the robot’s upper body is controllable via VR, while walking remains autonomous or limited. Released in March 2025 at a price of around $27,500, Atom represents a significant advancement in teleoperated robotics, proving that high-precision control over long distances is feasible. Dobot envisions applications in hazardous or inaccessible environments like nuclear plants or outer space, as well as precision-demanding tasks such as surgery and housework. The demonstration positions
roboticshumanoid-robotteleoperationvirtual-realityremote-controlprecision-roboticsDobot-RoboticsTesollo to present humanoid robot hand at AI for Good Global Summit 2025 - The Robot Report
Tesollo Inc., a South Korean robotics company, will showcase its advanced humanoid robotic hand, the Delto Gripper DG-5F, at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 in Geneva. The DG-5F features 20 degrees of independent actuation, closely mimicking the dexterity and motion of a human hand, enabling complex object manipulation, tool use, and fine assembly. Designed to replicate natural human motion, the gripper supports multiple grip modes (pinch, power, precision) and can be equipped with high-precision force sensors for real-time feedback, slip prevention, and adaptive grasp control. Its size and structure resemble an adult male hand, making it adaptable for real-world industrial and service applications. Built from lightweight, high-strength materials, the DG-5F is durable enough for repetitive, high-speed operations and is compatible with ROS 2 for easy integration with various robotic platforms. Tesollo envisions its robotic hand being used in diverse fields such as AI-driven
roboticshumanoid-robotrobotic-handAI-roboticsindustrial-automationprecision-manipulationROS-2-integration'Jake the Rizzbot' charms Austin with cowboy drip and Gen Z slang
“Jake the Rizzbot” is a humanoid robot gaining viral fame in Austin for its unique blend of cowboy style and Gen Z slang. The robot, a Unitree G1 model developed by China-based Unitree Robotics and released in May 2024, stands about 4 feet tall and weighs 77 pounds. While Jake’s movements are lifelike and AI-assisted, it is remotely controlled by a human operator who remains anonymous. Jake’s distinctive appearance includes a cowboy hat, silver chain, and Nike Dunks, and it engages passersby with confident walk and slang-filled greetings, often drawing crowds at popular Austin locations like Barton Creek Mall and downtown. Jake’s charm lies not only in its humanoid motion but also in its use of contemporary Gen Z and Gen Alpha vocabulary, which has sparked widespread amusement and curiosity on social media, with videos amassing millions of views. Despite occasional glitches such as battery issues and mixed public reactions—including a viral clip where Jake inadvertently upset a baby—the robot
robothumanoid-robotAI-avatarUnitree-Roboticsbipedal-robotremote-control-robotdeep-reinforcement-learningChina’s ‘slim-waisted’ humanoid robot debuts with human-like skills
China’s Robotera has unveiled the Q5 humanoid robot, a slim-waisted, 1650 mm tall machine weighing 70 kg, designed for practical deployment in sectors like healthcare, retail, tourism, and education. Featuring 44 degrees of freedom (DoF), including the highly dexterous 11-DoF XHAND Lite robotic hand, Q5 excels in precise manipulation and smooth navigation within complex indoor environments. Its compact size and fused LiDAR with stereo vision enable autonomous movement with minimal human oversight. The robot supports full-body teleoperation via VR and sensor gloves and interacts through AI-powered natural dialogue, facilitating responsive, context-aware communication. Powered by the EraAI platform, Q5 integrates a complete AI lifecycle from teleoperation data collection to model training and closed-loop learning, offering over four hours of runtime on a 60V supply. Its 7-DoF robotic arms have a reach extending beyond two meters, allowing it to handle objects at various heights safely and compliantly.
robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticsautonomous-navigationrobotic-manipulationteleoperationservice-robotsChina’s dice-rolling humanoid robot could serve tea, clean dishes
Chinese robotics company AI² Robotics has introduced the AlphaBot 2, a humanoid robot featuring embodied artificial intelligence (AI) that enables it to understand spoken commands, interact physically with its environment, and respond emotionally. Demonstrated at China’s Beyond Expo, AlphaBot 2 can play dice, press buttons, and give a thumbs-up when a human wins. Unlike traditional robots that require extensive programming, AlphaBot 2 learns new tasks from just 5 to 10 demonstrations, marking a significant advancement in robot adaptability. Currently, it is employed in industrial settings such as car factories for material handling and labeling, with plans to assist in luggage cart organization at major Chinese airports by late 2025. Looking ahead, AI² Robotics envisions AlphaBot 2 serving domestic roles, including making tea, cleaning dishes, and aiding elderly care, aiming to become a “robot for every family.” However, widespread home adoption faces challenges such as high costs—starting around $15,000 per unit—s
robothumanoid-robotAI-roboticsembodied-artificial-intelligencedomestic-robotsindustrial-robotsrobot-applicationsAffordable, open-source humanoid robot for beginners unveiled in US
Berkeley engineers have introduced the Berkeley Humanoid Lite, an affordable, fully open-source humanoid robot aimed at beginners in robotics. Standing about one meter tall and weighing roughly 35 pounds (16 kilograms), the robot is constructed primarily from 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf components, keeping the total cost under $5,000. Its modular design includes actuators with durable cycloidal gears that compensate for the lower strength of 3D-printed plastics, enhancing longevity and ease of maintenance. Users can easily source parts online or print replacements themselves, making the platform highly accessible for hobbyists, students, and educators without requiring specialized tools or equipment. The project addresses the common barriers in humanoid robotics, such as high costs and proprietary hardware/software that limit customization and repair. By providing full access to hardware designs, code, and training tools, Berkeley Humanoid Lite empowers users to build, modify, and improve humanoid systems from the ground up. Assembly typically takes about a week for
robothumanoid-robotopen-source-robotics3D-printed-robotmodular-actuatorsrobotics-educationaffordable-roboticsHexagon launches AEON humanoid robot for industrial applications - The Robot Report
Hexagon AB has launched its first humanoid robot, AEON, designed specifically for industrial applications to address labor shortages and enhance operational efficiency. Unveiled at the Hexagon LIVE Global event, AEON integrates Hexagon’s expertise in precision measurement and sensor technologies with advanced locomotion, AI-driven mission control, and spatial intelligence. This combination enables the robot to perform a variety of tasks such as manipulation, asset inspection, reality capture, and operator support across industries including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. AEON features agility through bipedal locomotion and dexterity, environmental awareness via multimodal sensor data fusion, versatility in task execution, and power autonomy enabled by a battery-swapping mechanism. Hexagon is collaborating with partners such as Schaeffler and Pilatus to pilot AEON in real-world industrial scenarios like machine tending, part inspection, and reality capture. These pilots aim to demonstrate the robot’s capabilities and contribute to sustainable growth amid demographic changes affecting labor availability.
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationAIsensor-technologymanufacturinglogisticsGerman drink-pouring humanoid robot butler eyes $1.2 billion push
German start-up NEURA Robotics is preparing to launch its cognitive humanoid robot and is seeking up to $1.2 billion in funding ahead of the official unveiling in Munich. Founded in 2019 and based in Metzingen, NEURA Robotics has already secured €120 million in investment and $1 billion in orders from major clients like Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Omron Corp. The company aims to bring humanoid robots into everyday homes and workplaces, with their robot capable of tasks such as pouring cocktails, ironing clothes, and making sandwiches. NEURA positions itself as Germany’s only humanoid robotics company and has experienced rapid growth, doubling its workforce and increasing revenue tenfold last year. The robot is powered by NEURA’s AI API, which supports multi-modal interaction including voice and gesture recognition, full cognitive capabilities from object detection to tracking, and decentralized swarm intelligence inspired by social insects. This technology enables groups of robots or algorithms to solve complex problems without centralized control. NEURA’s innovations place it among the
robothumanoid-robotcognitive-roboticsAI-roboticsNEURA-Roboticsindustrial-robotsdomestic-robotsVideo: Korean humanoid robot pulls off 88lbs bicep curls like a pro
The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has developed a humanoid robot named ARMstrong Dex, designed primarily for disaster response and hazardous environments such as nuclear power plant dismantling. A recent video demonstration showcased the robot performing human-like bicep curls lifting approximately 88 pounds (40 kg) per arm, highlighting its strength, control, and mechanical stability. Although this test represents a fraction of its full lifting capacity—up to 441 pounds (200 kg) per arm—the exercise emphasizes the robot’s fine motor control and safe operation, crucial for handling delicate tasks in dangerous conditions. ARMstrong Dex is a human-sized, dual-arm hydraulic robot equipped with dexterous manipulators and caterpillar tracks for mobility across rough terrain. Its capabilities include manipulating valves, plugging cords, carrying debris, and operating tools such as spray guns, making it versatile for disaster relief and nuclear decontamination tasks. KAERI has licensed its technology to robotics firms for practical applications, and the robot serves as a research
robothumanoid-robotdisaster-responseheavy-lift-robothydraulic-robotnuclear-decommissioningrobotics-safetyWorld’s first flying humanoid robot with jet engines debuts in Italy
Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) have developed and successfully tested iRonCub3, the world’s first jet-powered humanoid robot capable of hovering mid-air. Equipped with four jet engines—two on its arms and two on a backpack—and a titanium spine to withstand extreme heat from exhaust gases reaching 800°C, the 70 kg robot lifted off about 50 centimeters in initial indoor tests. iRonCub3 integrates advanced AI and aerodynamic control systems to maintain stability despite its asymmetrical, human-like form and shifting center of mass, a challenge not present in traditional drones. The robot’s flight control relies on neural networks trained with simulated and experimental data, enabling it to adapt to turbulent airflows and dynamic limb movements in real time. The development of iRonCub3 involved a co-design approach optimizing both the robot’s physical structure and engine placement to maximize flight control and thermal resilience. Collaborations with the Polytechnic of Milan and Stanford University contributed to wind tunnel testing and machine learning integration
roboticshumanoid-robotjet-enginesAIflight-controltitanium-materialsaerial-mobilityHumanoid robot uses NVIDIA tech to run real-world factory operations
Hexagon, in partnership with NVIDIA, has developed AEON, a humanoid robot designed to perform complex industrial tasks such as machine operation, part sorting, inspection, and asset scanning. AEON targets sectors like manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, and logistics, aiming to enhance precision and reduce human error in dynamic factory environments. The robot integrates advanced mechatronics, multimodal sensor fusion, and real-time AI to function as a flexible, autonomous industrial assistant. AEON’s development was accelerated through extensive simulation training using NVIDIA’s Isaac platform, enabling it to acquire navigation and manipulation skills within weeks rather than months. It operates on NVIDIA’s robotics stack, including Jetson Orin computers for real-time decision-making, with plans to upgrade to the IGX Thor platform to improve collaborative safety. The robot also leverages NVIDIA’s Isaac GR00T foundation model and Mimic tools to learn from human demonstrations and generate synthetic motion data, expanding its capabilities. A key feature of AEON is its ability to capture physical
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationNVIDIA-AIrobotics-simulationfactory-operationsAI-roboticsWatch: Figure 02 robot achieve near-human package sorting skills
Figure AI’s humanoid robot, Figure 02, has demonstrated significant advancements in package sorting, achieving near-human speed and dexterity by processing parcels in about 4.05 seconds each with a 95% barcode scanning success rate. This marks a 20% speed improvement over earlier demonstrations despite handling more complex tasks involving a mix of rigid boxes, deformable poly bags, and flat padded envelopes. Key to this progress is the upgraded Helix visuomotor system, which benefits from a six-fold increase in training data and new modules for short-term visual memory and force feedback. These enhancements enable the robot to remember partial barcode views, adjust grips delicately, and manipulate flexible parcels by flicking or patting them for optimal scanning. The improvements highlight the potential of end-to-end learning systems in dynamic warehouse environments, where the robot can adapt its sorting strategy on the fly and even generalize its skills to new tasks, such as recognizing a human hand as a signal for handing over parcels without additional programming
roboticshumanoid-robotpackage-sortingmachine-learningforce-feedbackvisual-memoryautomationSweater-wearing humanoid robot gets brain upgrade to clean, cook solo
1X Technologies has introduced Redwood, an advanced AI model powering its humanoid robot NEO, designed to autonomously perform complex household tasks such as laundry, door answering, and home navigation. Redwood is a 160 million-parameter vision-language model that integrates perception, locomotion, and control into a unified system running onboard NEO Gamma’s embedded GPU. This integration enables full-body coordination, allowing NEO to simultaneously control arms, legs, pelvis, and walking commands, which enhances its ability to brace against surfaces, handle higher payloads, and manipulate objects bi-manually. Redwood’s training on diverse real-world data, including both successful and failed task demonstrations, equips NEO with strong generalization capabilities to adapt to unfamiliar objects and task variations, improving robustness and autonomy even in offline or low-connectivity environments. Complementing Redwood, 1X Technologies has developed a comprehensive Reinforcement Learning (RL) controller that expands NEO’s mobility and dexterity for navigating real home environments. This controller supports fluid
robothumanoid-robotAI-modelrobotics-autonomymotion-controlmobile-manipulationreinforcement-learningAtlas humanoid robot adapts to failure, unlocking next-gen dexterity
Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas has made significant advancements in dynamic perception and adaptability, enabling it to handle complex, real-world tasks with greater dexterity and reliability. Moving beyond pre-programmed movements, Atlas integrates advanced AI with classical control systems to build a real-time 3D understanding of its environment. This allows the robot to identify objects, assess their properties, and navigate obstacles dynamically, which is essential for performing intricate tasks like picking up car parts and placing them accurately. The robot’s ability to continuously update its environmental model and adjust its actions in real-time helps it compensate for errors such as objects slipping or being out of place. Atlas also demonstrates impressive resilience in challenging scenarios, including operating in poorly lit spaces and overcoming visual obstructions by actively manipulating objects to improve its perspective. A key breakthrough is its capacity to adapt seamlessly to unexpected environmental changes, such as when objects are moved during a task, requiring it to revise its plan on the fly. Furthermore, Atlas can recover from “catastrophic
robothumanoid-robotBoston-Dynamicsdynamic-perception-systemAI-roboticsrobotic-dexterityadaptive-roboticsChinese firm achieves agile, human-like walking with AI control
Chinese robotics startup EngineAI has developed an advanced AI-driven control system that enables humanoid robots to walk with straight legs, closely mimicking natural human gait. This innovative approach integrates human gait data, adversarial learning, and real-world feedback to refine robot movement across diverse environments, aiming to achieve more energy-efficient, stable, and agile locomotion. EngineAI’s lightweight humanoid platform, the PM01, has demonstrated impressive agility, including successfully performing a frontflip and executing complex dance moves from the film Kung Fu Hustle, showcasing the system’s potential for fluid, human-like motion. The PM01 robot features a compact, lightweight aluminum alloy exoskeleton with 24 degrees of freedom and a bionic structure that supports dynamic movement at speeds up to 2 meters per second. It incorporates advanced hardware such as an Intel RealSense depth camera for visual perception and an Intel N97 processor paired with an NVIDIA Jetson Orin CPU for high-performance processing and neural network training. This combination allows the PM01 to interact effectively with its environment and perform intricate tasks, making it a promising platform for research into human-robot interaction and agile robotic assistants. EngineAI’s work parallels other Chinese developments like the humanoid robot Adam, which uses reinforcement learning and imitation of human gait to achieve lifelike locomotion. Unlike traditional control methods such as Model Predictive Control used by robots like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, EngineAI’s AI-based framework emphasizes adaptability through real-world learning, addressing challenges in unpredictable environments. While still in the research phase, these advancements mark significant progress toward next-generation humanoid robots capable of natural, efficient, and versatile movement.
robothumanoid-robotAI-controlgait-controlreinforcement-learningrobotics-platformenergy-efficient-robotics1X's NEO humanoid gains autonomy with new Redwood AI model
1X Technologies has unveiled Redwood, a new AI model designed to enhance the autonomy of its NEO humanoid robot for home environments. Redwood enables NEO to perform tasks such as laundry, answering doors, and navigating familiar spaces by leveraging real-world training data collected from 1X’s EVE and NEO robots. Key capabilities include generalization to handle task variations and unfamiliar objects, learned behaviors like hand selection and retrying failed grasps, and advanced whole-body, multi-contact manipulation that allows coordinated locomotion and manipulation, including bracing and leaning during tasks. Redwood supports mobile bi-manual manipulation, enabling NEO to move and manipulate objects simultaneously, and operates efficiently on NEO’s onboard embedded GPU. The system also integrates with an off-board language model for real-time voice control, interpreting user intent from speech and conversational context. At the 2025 NVIDIA GTC event, 1X showcased NEO in a nearly continuous teleoperated demo, highlighting Redwood’s potential as one of the first end-to-end mobile manipulation AI systems specifically designed for biped humanoid robots. Eric Jang, VP of AI at 1X, emphasized the model’s role in scaling robotic assistance for household chores. Additionally, CEO Berndt Børnich discussed the broader mission of addressing labor shortages with robotics, the challenges of designing safe and compliant home robots, regulatory hurdles, and societal perceptions of humanoid robots.
robothumanoid-robotartificial-intelligencemobile-manipulationrobotics-AIhome-automationembedded-GPUChina's humanoid robot with full embodied AI works at auto factory
China has deployed AlphaBot2, a general-purpose humanoid robot with full embodied AI, in an automotive factory operated by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co. Developed by Shenzhen-based AI² Robotics, AlphaBot2 performs diverse tasks such as quality inspection, assembly, logistics, and maintenance. This deployment marks the first full-scenario validation of a domestically developed embodied AI model in China’s automotive sector. The robot leverages real factory data to continuously improve its spatial intelligence and learning capabilities through a feedback loop with AI² Robotics’ self-developed embodied large model, enhancing its efficiency, precision, and adaptability in complex, evolving manufacturing environments. AlphaBot2 is powered by the advanced GOVLA AI model, a Vision-Language-Action system built on the AI²R Brain platform, enabling near-human dexterity and full-body coordination with over 34 degrees of freedom. It features 360° spatial sensing, autonomous navigation, and a vertical working range of up to 240 cm, with over six hours of battery life for extended operations. The robot’s flexible manipulation and rapid adaptation reduce deployment time and support mixed-model automotive production lines, demonstrating significant advancements in intelligent manufacturing and factory automation in China.
robothumanoid-robotembodied-AIintelligent-manufacturingfactory-automationroboticsAI-in-roboticsMilan Kovac, Head Of Tesla Optimus Program, Departs - CleanTechnica
Milan Kovac, the head of engineering for Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot program, announced his departure on June 6, 2025, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Despite initial speculation about possible conflicts with Elon Musk, Kovac expressed strong support for Musk and confidence in the Tesla team’s ability to advance the Optimus project. Tesla confirmed that Ashok Elluswamy, head of the Autopilot team, will assume leadership of the Optimus program. Both Kovac and Musk exchanged respectful public statements, indicating an amicable transition without signs of urgency or internal strife. Elon Musk continues to position Optimus as a transformative product, claiming it could be Tesla’s most significant development ever, with a target price around $30,000. Musk envisions the robot performing everyday tasks such as folding clothes, walking dogs, and cleaning dishes, and he has publicly declared that autonomy and Optimus are Tesla’s long-term priorities. However, skepticism remains among observers and industry watchers, who note that Tesla’s promotional videos—like the one showing Optimus folding a shirt—are staged and that the robot is not yet capable of autonomous operation. Critics draw parallels to previous Tesla hype cycles, such as with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, suggesting that Optimus may be similarly overpromised and years away from practical reality. Overall, while Kovac’s departure marks a leadership change, Tesla’s commitment to the Optimus project remains firm under Musk’s vision. Yet, the program faces scrutiny over its current capabilities versus public expectations, highlighting the challenges Tesla faces in delivering on its ambitious humanoid robot goals.
robotTesla-Optimushumanoid-robotautonomous-robotsAI-roboticspersonal-assistant-robotsrobotics-engineeringHeadless humanoid robot built in 40 days to work in Renault factory
Wandercraft, a Paris-based company known for its exoskeleton technology, has developed a headless humanoid robot named Calvin in just 40 days. This voice-controlled, self-balancing robot is designed to perform tough, painful, and non-ergonomic manufacturing tasks, aiming to relieve Renault Group’s workers from such duties while enhancing productivity by reducing production time. Calvin represents Wandercraft’s first industrial humanoid robot and incorporates adaptable hands capable of switching between various end effectors like suction cups and grippers, allowing it to meet diverse operational needs. Beyond industrial applications, Calvin also holds potential for medical care uses. Renault Group has made a strategic investment in Wandercraft, forming a commercial partnership to develop Calvin and future next-generation robots primarily for industrial purposes. This collaboration leverages Renault’s industrial expertise, particularly in design-to-cost and scaling, to industrialize robots and exoskeletons, thereby reducing costs and accelerating automation. Renault’s Chief Industry and Quality Officer, Thierry Charvet, emphasized that the partnership will enable workers to focus on higher-value tasks while improving overall factory productivity. Wandercraft’s CEO Matthieu Masselin highlighted the broader vision of combining robotics and exoskeleton technology to improve lives both in industrial settings and beyond, including clinics and homes.
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationexoskeleton-technologymanufacturing-roboticsRenault-Groupvoice-controlled-robotWandercraft unveils Calvin, new industrial humanoid, and Renault partnership - The Robot Report
Wandercraft, a French robotics company founded in 2012 with a mission to aid people with severe mobility impairments, has unveiled its first humanoid robot named Calvin. Developed in just 40 days using technology from its exoskeleton products, Calvin is designed primarily for industrial applications. This launch coincides with Renault Group’s minority investment in Wandercraft, aimed at advancing Calvin as a next-generation industrial robot to alleviate workers from physically demanding tasks, improve ergonomics, and boost productivity. Renault will also support commercialization efforts by leveraging its expertise in cost reduction and scaling, facilitating broader market access for Wandercraft’s robotics, including its new exoskeleton, Eve. Wandercraft’s flagship product, the Atalante X exoskeleton, is a self-stabilizing device used in nearly 100 rehabilitation centers worldwide, enabling patients with spinal cord injuries and stroke to walk and relearn natural motion. It features ActiveBalance mode and 12 degrees of freedom for hips, knees, and ankles, offering benefits for both patients and therapists. The device has FDA clearance and CE marking for various conditions. Building on this success, Wandercraft recently introduced a Personal Exoskeleton prototype designed for everyday use in home and community settings, currently undergoing clinical trials. This system also features a fully powered lower body and dynamic walking control, aiming to enhance personal mobility outside clinical environments.
roboticshumanoid-robotexoskeletonindustrial-automationmobility-assistancerehabilitation-technologyRenault-partnershipTesla’s Optimus robot VP is reportedly leaving the company
Milan Kovac, the vice president leading Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program, is reportedly leaving the company, according to Bloomberg News. Kovac, who has been with Tesla for nearly a decade and previously worked as a top engineer on the Autopilot team, was appointed to lead the Optimus development in 2022 and became VP of the program in late 2024. He was responsible for driving the engineering teams behind both Optimus and the shared software infrastructure with Autopilot. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ambitious plans for the Optimus robot, projecting that “thousands” of units will be operating in Tesla factories by the end of 2025, with a rapid scale-up to millions of units per year as soon as possible. Following Kovac’s departure, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s vice president of AI software, will take over leadership of the Optimus project. This leadership change comes amid Tesla’s aggressive push to advance its humanoid robot technology and integrate it into its manufacturing operations.
robotTeslahumanoid-robotOptimusAI-softwarerobotics-engineeringautomationPepper humanoid robot powered by ChatGPT conducts real-world interaction
Researchers from the University of Canberra showcased Pepper, a humanoid robot integrated with ChatGPT, at an Australian innovation festival to study public reactions to AI-powered social robots in real-world settings. Pepper captures audio from users, transcribes it, generates responses via ChatGPT, and communicates back through text-to-speech. The trial involved 88 participants who interacted with Pepper, many for the first time, providing feedback that revealed a broad spectrum of emotions including curiosity, amusement, frustration, and unease. The study underscored the importance of first impressions and real-world contexts in shaping societal acceptance of humanoid robots, especially as they become more common in sectors like healthcare, retail, and education. Key findings highlighted four main themes: user suggestions for improvement, expectations for human-like interaction, emotional responses, and perceptions of Pepper’s physical form. Participants noted a disconnect between Pepper’s human-like appearance and its limited interactive capabilities, such as difficulties in recognizing facial expressions and following social norms like turn-taking. Feedback also pointed to technical and social challenges, including the need for faster responses, greater cultural and linguistic inclusivity—particularly for Indigenous users—and improved accessibility. The study emphasizes that testing social robots “in the wild” provides richer, human-centered insights into how society may adapt to embodied AI companions beyond controlled laboratory environments.
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robothumanoid-robothotel-automationAI-technologycleaning-robothospitality-industryrobotics-innovationPorton Man: Humanoid robot to test chemical gear for US Army in real-world conditions
robothumanoid-robotchemical-testingmilitary-technologyroboticsprotective-gearadvanced-roboticsTesla’s Optimus robot takes out trash, vacuums, cleans like a pro
robotTeslaOptimusAIautomationhumanoid-robotreinforcement-learningElon Musk khoe Optimus nhảy điệu giống ông Trump
robotTeslaOptimusAIhumanoid-robotautomationfuture-technologyRobot Unitree H1 'tấn công' kỹ sư
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robothumanoid-robotautomationindustrial-applicationsroboticsmotion-plasticsaffordable-robotics2025 Is the Year of the Humanoid Robot Factory Worker
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