Chinese AI Powered Humanoid Robot PUDU D9 Built to Disrupt Service, Retail, Hospitality, Industry

Pudu Robotics, a Chinese company with more than 80,000 robots deployed globally, just introduced its first bipedal humanoid robot with the motto "Born to Serve."

The Shenzen-based robotics firm says its extensive customer base positions it to accelerate maturity of its AI-powered humanoids. Pudu Robotics is positioning its PUDU D9 bipedal robot for industries where it already has a growing presence like retail, hospitality, healthcare, and cleaning.

"Customer centricity has always been at the core of PUDU's values," Felix Zhang, the company's founder and CEO, said in a press release. "Moving forward, we will continue to explore technology driven by customer needs and pain points."

Standing 170 cm (5'7"), the PUDU D9 weighs 65 kg (143 lbs) and boasts 42 degrees of freedom (DoF). Its arms have 7 DoF each, with a combined payload capacity of 20 kg (44 lbs). The robot integrates with PUDU's DH11 dexterous hand, which offers 11 DoF for performing intricate tasks with precision.

The PUDU D9 walks at a pace of 2 m/s (4.5 mph), matching the speed of a human's brisk walk or slow jog. It navigates stairs and slopes, adapting to diverse terrains with its advanced 3D semantic mapping system.

The unveiling comes just a few months after Pudu Robotics introduced its so-called semi-humanoid robot, the PUDU D7. With its human-like upper body, the AI robot moves in all directions with its omnidirectional chassis. It's designed for places like hotels and hospitals to deliver items across floors, and can operate elevators autonomously.

Pudu Robotics has a presence in more than 60 countries, with high-profile clients including Marriot, Hilton, McDonald's, and Shell. The company's global customer base and experience scaling production of robot designs give Pudu an edge of the myriad of Chinese startups developing humanoid robots.

Pudu's offerings include commercial delivery robots, like BellaBot and KettyBot, which are designed to streamline food and item delivery in restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. The bots feature sleek designs and interactive displays. The company's cleaning robots, like the PUDU CC1 and PUDU SH1, incorporate AI-powered navigation in industrial and commercial settings.

#airobot #humanoidrobot #robotics #ai #artificialintelligence #industry40 #pudurobotics #chinatechnology #china