Global deep tech ecosystem organisation connecting startups, investors, universities, and enterprises. Runs conferences, startup competitions, and innovation consulting to accelerate deep technology ventures addressing global health and sustainability challenges.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
MoSense, a company specializing in multimodal tactile solutions for robotics, has successfully completed an angel funding round worth several million yuan. Investors include Sequoia China, Hillhouse Capital, and Zhiyuan Robotics. The funds will primarily accelerate research and development, team expansion, computational power investment, and production testing system establishment. Founded in May 2026 and headquartered in Shanghai, with a research center in Shenzhen, MoSense focuses on developing a comprehensive multimodal tactile perception system for robots. The company aims to enhance robots' environmental perception capabilities, which are crucial for their deployment in complex real-world scenarios such as industrial manufacturing and logistics. Looking ahead, MoSense plans to commercialize its multimodal tactile solutions across various industries beyond humanoid robotics. The company is developing a tactile feedback system that integrates multiple sensory modalities, which is essential for improving robots' interaction with their environments. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
BXI Robotics, a humanoid robot ODM provider, has recently completed a new funding round worth millions, with investment from A-share listed company Suochen Technology. The funds will primarily support the development of next-generation humanoid robots and expansion into overseas markets. Previously, BXI Robotics secured its first round of institutional financing in 2025 from Feirongda. Founded in 2022, BXI Robotics has been developing humanoid robots since 2020. The company focuses on high-dynamic bipedal humanoid robots and is one of the few teams in China capable of full-stack self-research, including machine design, core motors, motion control algorithms, and software delivery. BXI Robotics aims to meet the growing ODM market demand as many companies seek to quickly establish their own humanoid robot brands. Looking ahead, BXI Robotics plans to enhance its capabilities in end-effectors, perception, and computation to improve robots' ability to execute tasks autonomously. The company anticipates significant growth in orders and revenue, projecting monthly order amounts to exceed ten million yuan from July 2026 to July 2027, with a total annual revenue expected to surpass one hundred million yuan. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
The world's first 'Robot Night Spectacle' RaaS product, created by Qingtian Rental, made its stunning debut at the Guiyang International Exhibition Center. This groundbreaking event featured over a hundred robots and was co-hosted by Shenzhen Yancheng and Lingji Yidong, showcasing a diverse range of performances including dance, martial arts, and fashion shows. This event is significant as it marks a milestone in the RaaS industry, transforming the perception of robots from isolated appearances in commercial areas to a large-scale, cohesive performance. The 'Robot Night Spectacle' achieved several breakthroughs, including being the first large-scale RaaS cultural tourism product and demonstrating advanced robot group control technology in a commercial performance setting. Looking ahead, the project will run for 37 consecutive days starting July 11 in Guiyang, representing a major commercial deployment of Qingtian Rental's RaaS products. This initiative not only validates the efficiency of large-scale robot control but also aims to replicate the success of the 'Robot Night Spectacle' across China, enhancing the integration of AI and intelligent experiences in traditional cultural tourism.
Robot as a Service Cultural Tourism Robotics Technology Interactive ExperiencesKAIST and Korea University researchers have developed the KAIST HOUND robot, achieving a peak speed of 6m/s while autonomously navigating complex terrains. This advancement showcases the robot's ability to seamlessly switch gaits, such as trotting and bounding, based on environmental conditions without external support. The significance of this achievement lies in the innovative APT-RL framework, which utilizes a simplified 2D dynamics model to generate extensive motion data. This approach allows the robot to learn and adapt its movements in real-world 3D environments, overcoming traditional limitations of motion capture and reinforcement learning strategies. Looking ahead, the research team has demonstrated the robot's capability to handle various scenarios, including jumping and maintaining balance under challenging conditions. Future developments may focus on enhancing the perception system to support high-speed operations, as the current sensing technology has limitations in effective range.
Quadrupedal Robots Robotics Research Reinforcement Learning AI Autonomous SystemsA humanoid robot developed by the Advanced Robotics and Controls Lab at UC San Diego has successfully performed various medical procedures, including the first-ever live minimally invasive surgery, as reported in Nature. This robot, named Yush, demonstrated capabilities in physical examinations, emergency interventions, and fine-needle surgeries, showcasing its potential in clinical settings. The significance of this development lies in the robot's ability to replicate core human medical operations, which could revolutionize healthcare delivery. The lab's focus on humanoid robots aims to create systems that can autonomously operate in hospital environments, utilizing multi-fingered and multi-armed tools to perform a wide range of tasks without the need for specialized equipment. Looking ahead, the lab is exploring the challenges of maintaining stability while the humanoid robot is in motion, which is crucial for its effectiveness in real-world medical scenarios. The ongoing research indicates that humanoid robots could eventually handle nearly all medical tasks independently, enhancing operational efficiency in healthcare facilities. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Humanoid Robots Surgical Robotics Medical Automation AI in HealthcareOn July 16, Beijing officially opened the Humanoid Robot Training Base at the Ice Ribbon, a 2,000 square meter innovation workshop. This facility will serve as a core venue for the upcoming second World Humanoid Robot Games in August. It was co-established by several organizations, including the Chaoyang Park Management Committee and Beijing Olympic Group, featuring research labs and testing areas. The establishment of this workshop is significant as it aligns with Chaoyang District's three-year action plan for the robotics industry, which has seen over 100 humanoid robot companies emerge in the area. The workshop aims to facilitate technology transfer and support the development of public service platforms for financing and research collaboration, enhancing the local robotics ecosystem. Looking ahead, the Olympic Village Street will actively participate in the workshop's development, providing real-world urban governance scenarios for companies. With the introduction of new application scenarios in various sectors, including environmental monitoring and elder care, the Ice Ribbon is evolving from an Olympic landmark into a major incubator for embodied intelligence in Beijing. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Humanoid Robots Robot Training Innovation Workshop AI TechnologyMercedes-Benz dealerships have begun selling humanoid robots, specifically the U1 model from UBTECH, through a partnership with the Bosh Group. This initiative allows customers in the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei regions to experience and purchase these advanced robots, which can engage with customers and enhance the car-buying experience. The collaboration aims to create a complete industrial ecosystem that includes technology research and development, channel operations, and after-sales service. The Bosh Group previously launched a robot experience store called 'Mechanical Eden,' which has reportedly increased foot traffic and customer engagement at Mercedes-Benz locations. Moving forward, the U1 humanoid robots will be gradually introduced into various Bosh Group dealerships, enhancing high-end automotive services and offering retail and rental options to affluent customers. This initiative marks a significant step towards the commercialization of humanoid robots, potentially setting a new standard in the industry.
Humanoid Robots Automotive Technology Retail Innovation AI Customer ExperienceAt the WAIC 2026, an immersive exhibition area titled 'The Era of Modeling: City of Partners' showcased over 20 robots performing various roles in manufacturing, daily life, and entertainment. Additionally, approximately 60 humanoid robots were deployed not as exhibits but as active participants in public service tasks, marking the first large-scale deployment of full-sized humanoid robots at such an event. This transition from being mere exhibits to functioning colleagues highlights the rapid advancements in contextual large models, which integrate multimodal information such as sound, visuals, and environment, significantly enhancing the interaction capabilities of robots. For instance, the tea-serving robot from Zhiyuan Innovation can perform a complete tea service task in six minutes, showcasing its refined operational capabilities. The WAIC 2026 featured an exhibition space exceeding 100,000 square meters, with 1,100 companies participating and over 3,000 exhibits, including more than 300 global product launches. The event signifies a shift in focus from showcasing AI as a technological spectacle to recognizing its role as a productive force in the real world, as noted by a visiting journalist who observed this change in emphasis from last year’s event.
Humanoid Robots AI Public Service Robotics Exhibitions AutomationIn a robotics lab in Shenzhen, engineer Huang Junlin is training a six-degree-of-freedom robotic hand for home use. Unlike industrial applications, home scenarios demand higher standards for weight, cost, and usability, prompting a significant reduction in humanoid robot costs. The robotic hand, a crucial and complex component, previously priced at 100,000 Yuan, now costs around 10,000 Yuan due to advancements in supply chain maturity and technology breakthroughs. The reduction in price is pivotal as it opens the door for consumer-grade humanoid robots, with the global market projected to exceed 20 billion Yuan by 2026. In 2025, the market is expected to reach 17 billion Yuan, with a shipment volume of approximately 18,000 units, marking a year-on-year growth of over 500%. China's share is anticipated to surpass 50%, with shipments expected to rise to 62,500 units by 2026, indicating a robust demand for humanoid robots. The surge in consumer humanoid robots is catalyzing the formation of a new supply chain ecosystem, including advancements in bionic skin, tactile sensors, and flexible materials. A new materials company in Jiaxing has developed third-generation electronic skin capable of multimodal perception and real-time feedback. As robotic hands become more affordable and tactile sensing technology advances, the integration of humanoid robots into homes may occur sooner than anticipated, marking the beginning of a revolution in robotics.
Humanoid Robots Robotic Hands AI Technology Consumer RoboticsThe QiYuan T1, a transformable personal robot, made its debut at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. This innovative robot can autonomously switch between a humanoid form for indoor use and a quadrupedal 'robot dog' form for outdoor environments, adapting seamlessly to various terrains without manual intervention. This development is significant as it showcases advancements in robotics, particularly in the realm of personal companions. The QiYuan T1's ability to engage in human interaction through flexible force control technology enhances its role beyond mere task completion, allowing it to serve as a companion in daily life. Looking ahead, the QiYuan T1's unique design and capabilities may set new standards for personal robots. With ongoing investments in research and development, including a reported 4585.16 million yuan in Q1 2026, the company is poised to expand its presence with offline experience stores in cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Transformable Robots Personal Robotics AI Technology Consumer ElectronicsThis week in robotics: NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang visits Seoul to deepen physical AI ties, Generalist AI raises $400M at $2B valuation, Amazon upgrades Proteus with natural-language control, and UBTECH humanoid attracts 1,200 pre-orders. June 1–5, 2026.
This week in robotics: Figure AI's humanoids hit a 24/7 nonstop autonomous work milestone, Mind Robotics raises $400M to top $1B, Waymo recalls 3,800 robotaxis over flooding, Unitree debuts the world's first mass-produced human-carrying mecha, and WIRobotics closes a $68M Series B. May 11–15, 2026.
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