Speecys Corp.
Japanese humanoid robot company founded by former Sony AIBO engineer; developer of SPC-001 research humanoid and fuel-cell powered robots.
Speecys Corp. is a Japanese robotics company founded in 2001 by Tomoaki Kasuga, a former Sony engineer who worked on the AIBO robot dog. The company specializes in developing small humanoid robots for research and consumer applications. Speecys produced the SPC-001, one of Japan's early research humanoids, and the Speecys-FC, the world's first fuel-cell powered humanoid robot.
The company designs robotic action figures and personal robots combining entertainment and research utility.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
45cm Motion Figure
- Launch Year: 2025
45cm 3D-printed bipedal humanoid robot figure with programmable motion.
14cm Motion Figure
- Launch Year: 2025
14cm compact 3D-printed humanoid robot motion figure for hobby and learning.
Contact Speecys Corp.
WEBSITE
https://www.speecys.comPHONE
+81 422-26-8801HEADQUARTERS
Japan
Company Facts
Founded
2001
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Asia-Pacific
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
3D Printed Robot Prime Lite Aims to Inspire Future Engineers in Classrooms
In the past year, job openings in the robotics sector have surged by 75.26%, with humanoid robot positions increasing by 215.8%. However, the supply-demand ratio for technical talent in the industry stands at 1:5.2, indicating a significant gap in practical skills. The newly launched Prime Lite, a 3D printed educational robot, aims to address this gap by allowing students to engage in the entire process of design, assembly, and troubleshooting. Prime Lite, developed through a collaboration between Beijing Zhongguancun Academy and the Zhongguancun Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, features a modular design that encourages hands-on learning. It is equipped with a self-developed AI model, PhysBrain, enabling students to understand the complete cycle of perception, decision-making, control, and execution. This initiative is not just about education; it is a long-term investment in cultivating engineers who can work with embodied intelligent robots in the future. As Prime Lite is integrated into educational institutions like Beijing No. 11 School, the focus will be on tracking the long-term impact of this initiative. The real measure of success will be the number of students who pursue careers in robotics and automation after their experience with Prime Lite, highlighting the importance of practical, hands-on education in shaping the future workforce.
Educational Robotics 3D Printing Embodied Intelligence STEM Education
Robotic Dog Demonstrates Autonomous Grocery Shopping Amid Payment Technology Challenges
A robotic dog named 'Tutu' showcased its ability to autonomously find stalls, confirm products, place orders, and make payments at the September Bund Conference. This demonstration marked it as the world's first embodied intelligent product with complete payment capabilities. The significance of this development lies in the challenges of responsibility attribution in autonomous transactions. While traditional payment methods involve clear user intent, the robotic dog must independently assess product quality and pricing, raising questions about accountability in case of errors. Looking ahead, the focus should not solely be on when robotic dogs can replace human shoppers, but rather on how disputes arising from transactions conducted by intelligent agents will be resolved legally. The absence of clear regulatory frameworks for these scenarios poses a significant challenge for the future of embodied intelligent payments.
Robotic Automation AI Payment Systems Financial Technology Risk Management
Bionic Emotion-Sensing Humanoid Robot Demonstrates Real Tears During Interaction
A new humanoid robot has been developed that can express emotions by shedding real tears while communicating. This advancement highlights the potential for robots to engage more authentically with humans, enhancing their roles in various applications. The ability of this robot to exhibit genuine emotional responses could significantly impact industries such as healthcare and customer service, where human-like interactions are crucial. As robots become more integrated into daily life, their emotional capabilities may improve user acceptance and trust. Looking ahead, the evolution of emotion-sensing technology in robotics will be critical to watch. The implications of such advancements could reshape how robots are utilized across sectors, potentially leading to more empathetic and responsive machines. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI and Robotics
JD Logistics Implements Diverse Robots to Transform Warehouse Automation
JD Logistics has deployed 11 different types of robots across over 20 provinces in China, including a dexterous arm that has surpassed the single-machine economic model threshold. This approach contrasts with the industry's focus on humanoid robots, emphasizing that the shape of robots should be determined by their operational requirements. The significance of JD's strategy lies in addressing the automation gap in logistics, where over 70% of warehouses still rely heavily on manual labor. JD's dexterous arm, known as 'Yilong,' can adapt its grip for various packaging types, resulting in over a 20% reduction in operational costs compared to traditional manual sorting. Looking ahead, JD aims to replicate its successful model across multiple projects, with a projected payback period of around two years for its first airport project. As JD continues to refine its robotic systems, the industry will need to consider the viability of humanoid robots in comparison to JD's efficient, specialized solutions.
Warehouse Automation Logistics Robotics AI Robotic Arms
Humanoid Robots Enter Combat Arena: A New Path for EngineAI T800
On September 10, in Riyadh, two humanoid robots, EngineAI T800, engaged in combat in a specially constructed arena. Each robot stands 1.73 meters tall and weighs between 75 to 85 kilograms, showcasing capabilities such as walking, running, punching, and kicking. This event marked the first humanoid robot fighting competition in the Middle East, organized by Hero Esports, a leading esports operator. The significance of this event lies in its potential to commercialize humanoid robots effectively. Unlike traditional roles in factories or service sectors, combat provides a dynamic environment for robots to gather valuable data on physical interactions. This data is crucial for improving robotic movement and decision-making in real-world scenarios, making combat a more viable path for humanoid robots. Looking ahead, Hero Esports plans to host eight competitions across four regions: the Middle East, Europe, America, and Asia. The focus will be on collecting combat data to enhance motion control algorithms. The success of this initiative could transform robot fighting from mere entertainment into a significant driver of technological advancement in humanoid robotics.
Humanoid Robots Robot Combat AI Technology Data Analytics Entertainment Technology
Maven Robotics Raises $100 Million to Advance Warehouse Automation with Humanoid Robots
On September 10, Maven Robotics announced the completion of a $100 million Series A funding round. Founded in 2024, the company, co-founded by Hamza Derbas, started with minimal resources but has since deployed eight robots in a Fortune 250 consumer goods company's warehouse, operating 16 hours a day with over 99% uptime. These robots perform mixed palletizing, a task that traditionally relies on human labor. The significance of Maven's approach lies in its focus on automating the most monotonous and repetitive physical tasks in warehouses rather than pursuing humanoid capabilities. With over 480,000 job vacancies in U.S. manufacturing and a projected 2.1 million unfilled positions by 2030 due to skill gaps, automation is becoming a necessity rather than an option. The funding landscape for robotics has also shifted, with a record $18.8 billion raised in 2026, indicating a growing interest in practical automation solutions. Looking ahead, Maven plans to use the funding to produce 250 third-generation robots and initiate the design of a fourth-generation platform. The company aims to achieve over 100,000 hours of autonomous operating time by the end of 2026 and surpass 1 million hours by the end of 2027. However, the company acknowledges that expanding into more complex material handling and assembly tasks will require capabilities that currently do not exist in their robots.
Warehouse Automation Robotics Manufacturing AI
Boston Dynamics Launches Dynamic Creatures to Enter Plush Robot Market
Boston Dynamics has introduced a new venture named Dynamic Creatures, focusing on plush robots. The first product, a modified Spot robot covered in purple fur with animated features, aims to attract visitors in entertainment settings rather than showcase its industrial capabilities. This shift signifies a strategic pivot for Boston Dynamics, which has historically excelled in advanced robotics but struggled to appeal to the general public. The company aims to leverage a rental model for its robots, making them accessible to theme parks and cruise lines without the hefty upfront costs associated with purchasing. As demand grows in the entertainment sector for interactive robotic characters, the success of Dynamic Creatures will depend on partnerships with major players like Disney. The outcome of this venture could redefine how robots are integrated into consumer experiences, moving beyond traditional applications to create engaging interactions.
Robotics Entertainment Technology Plush Robots Rental Business Model
Elon Musk's Vision for 10 Million Robots: Supply Chain Implications and Profitability
Tesla's Fremont factory has shifted its focus from producing 40,000 luxury electric vehicles annually to a target of 1 million Optimus humanoid robots. This significant increase in production capacity raises questions about the supply chain and who will benefit financially from Musk's ambitious plan to produce 10 million robots. Analysts suggest that the real profit opportunities may lie with Chinese suppliers who are scaling up to meet Tesla's demands. The supply chain for humanoid robots involves complex components such as actuators, reducers, and screws, which have high technical barriers and long validation periods. Major suppliers like Sanyuan and Top Group are positioned as core players in the Optimus supply chain, making it difficult for new entrants to compete. Tesla's procurement strategy involves framework orders based on production capacity, incentivizing suppliers to expand their operations. While substantial revenue from the robot production is not expected until 2027, the current market dynamics are already influencing stock prices. The robot industry is at a critical juncture, and established suppliers in Tesla's automotive business are leveraging their relationships to transition into the robotics sector. Musk's assertion that the global humanoid robot count could reach 1 billion in the next decade underscores the potential for significant market disruption.
Humanoid Robots Supply Chain Automation Tesla Robotics
Study Reveals Trust in Human-Like Robots Diminishes After Errors
A study from Drexel University indicates that the more human-like a robot is, the more it can influence people, provided it does not make mistakes. Researchers engaged 50 adult males in conversations with the humanoid robot Pepper for two and a half hours, with half interacting with an expressive version and the other half with a motionless version. When Pepper made intentional errors in the third round, participants' trust significantly declined, with influence dropping from 0.25 to 0.10 after just one mistake. The findings highlight the importance of reliability in social robots, especially in sensitive environments like hospitals and schools. While the expressive Pepper initially fostered a stronger connection, errors led to a more pronounced loss of trust compared to the motionless version. The study also recorded participants' brain activity, revealing heightened responses to social norm violations when interacting with the expressive robot, indicating a shift from technical to interpersonal judgment. Future research will explore whether robots can regain trust through apologies or explanations after making mistakes. The study's limitations include a focus on adult males and the specific robot Pepper, but its implications stress the need for reliability in the design of social robots to prevent trust erosion after errors.
Social Robots Human-Robot Interaction Trust in AI Robotics Research
Kinetix AI Raises Over 500 Million RMB in Series Angel Financing Round
Kinetix AI has successfully completed a Series Angel financing round, raising over 500 million RMB. The funding, backed by Temasek Holdings' VC firm Vertex Ventures, Fangguang Capital, and Wanshi Capital, will accelerate the iteration of its 'data-model-ontology' framework and promote the commercialization of embodied intelligence products. Founded in September 2025, Kinetix AI is a full-stack embodied intelligence large model company. Its founding team consists of experienced executives from Huawei's autonomous driving division, technology experts from the University of Hong Kong, and seasoned entrepreneurs in humanoid robotics. The company aims to convert human operational and motion experiences into robotic capabilities, having already launched several products, including the KAIBot humanoid robot and KAI Hand dexterous manipulator. Looking ahead, Kinetix AI's co-founder Luo Ping emphasizes the importance of ontology in defining a robot's action space and perception capabilities. The company is focused on enhancing data collection methods and hardware improvements to ensure continuous model generalization. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Embodied Intelligence Humanoid Robots AI Technology Robotics Innovation
China’s Dexterous Hand Industry, 2026 Part 3 — The Players
Five vendor archetypes, MIR’s composite top ten, eight company profiles and six field deployments — every firm linked to the RobotToday supplier directory.
RobotToday Weekly Briefing August 31 – September 4, 2026
This week in robotics: NVIDIA agrees to buy Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, Figure signs a $3.5 billion compute deal with Nscale for up to 100,000 GPUs, Tesla launches steering-wheel-free Cybercabs in Austin under NHTSA scrutiny, and Uber and Wayve bring the UK its first autonomous rides. August 31 – September 4, 2026.
China’s Dexterous Hand Industry, 2026 Part 1 — The Demand Picture
MIR Databank puts China dexterous hand shipments above 30,000 units in 2026, yet only 3.5% of 2025 demand came from factory production. Part 1 of 3.
China’s Dexterous Hand Industry, 2026 Part 2 — The Technology
Linkage, tendon, direct drive or hybrid — and why hardware is converging while the DL1–DL5 manipulation scale decides who wins. Part 2 of 3.
Robotics Investing: Intuitive Surgical or Unitree?
Unitree (STAR 688836) trades near 410x earnings after a 46% drawdown; Intuitive Surgical sits at 42.5x. A definition-aligned comparison of both companies.
Software, Compute and Interaction at WRC 2026
47 WRC 2026 exhibitors supply robot software, compute or interaction — but only 19 call themselves software companies. Five open artefacts, licence-checked.
ROBOTTODAY WEEKLY BRIEFING August 24 – 28, 2026
This week in robotics: XPeng's Dogotix raises over $900 million at a $6.3 billion valuation, Unitree's post-IPO slump revives bubble talk, Beijing's World Humanoid Robot Games close with a shift to real-world tasks, and Teradyne sues JAKA at Europe's Unified Patent Court. August 24–28, 2026.
WRC 2026 Core Components: 137 Robot Parts Suppliers
The third report in the WRC 2026 series. Report 1 mapped all 248 exhibitors by category and Report 2 covered the 139 that build finished robots. This one covers the 137 that build what goes inside them.
WRC 2026 Robot Systems: 149 Companies That Build Robots
149 of the 248 classified WRC 2026 exhibitors build finished robots. 93 build humanoid or legged machines. The audited humanoid sales number is one unit.
WRC 2026 Exhibitor Map: 248 Robotics Companies Mapped
We classified 248 WRC 2026 exhibitors with the RobotToday taxonomy. Motion & Actuation leads at 75 companies, Humanoid at 72, and compute stays thin at 12. (Modified 2026-08-27)
