Menlo Research
"Building the robot labor force of tomorrow."
Applied R&D lab building an open-source humanoid robot (Asimov) and the training and deployment stack for a humanoid robot labor force.
Menlo Research is an applied R&D lab building the brain for robots and an open-source humanoid robot to enable a humanoid robot labor force. The company began in 2023 as Jan, a local and offline open-source AI assistant that reached roughly one million downloads, rebranded to Homebrew as an AI research lab, then to Menlo Research in March 2026 as its focus shifted to robotics. Its flagship is Asimov, an open-source bipedal humanoid robot whose v1 files were released in April 2026 under open licenses including CERN-OHL-S-2.0, available as a DIY kit or buildable from a published bill of materials. Around it Menlo offers the Menlo Platform and Menlo OS, an integrated stack covering training, simulation, deployment, telemetry and redeployment, with components such as Uranus, Cyclotron and Tokamak.
The company also publishes open-source research models on Hugging Face, including Jan-Nano, AlphaMaze, AlphaSpace, Ichigo and PoseLess, the latter targeting vision-based robotic hand control. Menlo retains on-device and edge-AI roots through Jan while extending into embodied and physical AI. The company is bootstrapped and employee-owned with no disclosed funding rounds, has a headcount in the 11 to 50 range, and operates from offices in Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Its legal entity is Menlo Research Pte. Ltd., headquartered in Singapore. Founders associated with the company include Alan Dao and Daniel Ong. Its work spans humanoid robotics, sim-to-real learning, reinforcement learning and agent-native robotics.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Asimov
- Model: Asimov v1
- Launch Year: 2026
Open-source bipedal humanoid robot available as a DIY kit or buildable from a published bill of materials.
Jan
- Launch Year: 2023
Open-source, local and offline general-purpose AI assistant that runs on your own computer.
Menlo Platform
Integrated training-to-deployment stack for humanoid agents covering training, simulation, deployment and telemetry.
Open-source AI models
- Model: Menlo on Hugging Face
- Launch Year: 2025
Family of open research models for on-device, agentic and spatial/robotic reasoning.
Contact Menlo Research
WEBSITE
https://menlo.aiHEADQUARTERS
Singapore
Company Facts
Founded
2023
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Asia-Pacific
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
Bootstrapped / Self-funded
Funding Total
-
Certifications & Memberships
Robot Programming Languages 2026: From G-Code & FANUC KAREL to ROS2 — Complete History & Industrial Guide
A comprehensive guide to industrial robot programming language evolution: G-code and NC origins, FANUC KAREL/TP, ABB RAPID, KUKA KRL, Yaskawa INFORM, the ROS open-source revolution, ROS2 architecture, ROS-Industrial consortium, OPC-UA, TSN, and real-time Linux — how six decades of software history define today's factory floor.
ROBOTTODAY Weekly April 27th – May 1st, 2026
This week in robotics: Figure scales to one humanoid per hour, Meta acquires Assured Robot Intelligence, China's State Grid commits $995M for 8,500 AI robots, and SoftBank plans $100B IPO for robotics spinout Roze. April 28–May 2, 2026.
Menlo Research Open-Sources Asimov v1, Releasing CAD and Simulation Files for "The Rest of Us"
Menlo Research has unveiled the complete open-source repository for the Asimov v1 humanoid robot, coinciding with the launch of their "Here Be Dragons" kit. This comprehensive release includes detailed mechanical designs, electrical wiring schematics, and a MuJoCo simulation model, aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration within the robotics community. The initiative, announced recently, seeks to empower developers and researchers by providing them with the necessary resources to advance humanoid robotics. By making these materials publicly accessible, Menlo Research hopes to stimulate further research and development in the field, encouraging a collaborative approach to technological advancement.
open-source Asimov
Beyond the Kit: Asimov Details the 100-Hour Path to a Walking Humanoid
Menlo Research has unveiled a detailed guide to accompany its recently launched "Here Be Dragons" DIY kit, aimed at enthusiasts looking to construct a 1.2-meter humanoid robot at home. This guide addresses the mechanical, electronic, and simulation challenges that builders may encounter during the assembly process. The initiative, which seeks to empower hobbyists and aspiring engineers, provides step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips to facilitate the creation of the humanoid. By offering this resource, Menlo Research hopes to enhance the accessibility of advanced robotics projects, encouraging innovation and hands-on learning in the field.
US open-source Asimov
Asimov Launches $15,000 "Here Be Dragons" DIY Humanoid Kit
Menlo Research has transitioned its open-source project, Asimov, from a GitHub repository to tangible hardware, introducing a bipedal kit aimed at facilitating rapid iteration and "Processor-in-the-Loop" development. This move, announced in October 2023, marks a significant step in the project’s evolution, allowing developers and researchers to engage in hands-on experimentation with bipedal robotics. The new hardware kit is designed to streamline the development process, enabling users to quickly test and refine their algorithms in real-world scenarios. By bridging the gap between software and physical implementation, Menlo Research aims to enhance innovation in robotic systems and foster a collaborative environment for advancements in the field.
open-source Asimov
