Pudu unveils super semi-humanoid robot with 8-hour battery, 10kg lift power

Chinese robotics firm Pudu Robotics has introduced its first semi-humanoid, general-purpose intelligent robot.

Based in Shenzhen, the company has primarily focused on developing advanced service robots for various industries, including dining, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment, education, and manufacturing.

Its first attempt at developing a humanoid robot is named Pudu D7. It combines a fully omnidirectional chassis, robotic arms, and a human-like upper body to achieve improved mobility and dexterity.

The firm claims that its ability to perform intricate tasks in various situations, from industrial to service-oriented, represents a major advancement toward flexible robotic solutions for various industries.

“By advancing a comprehensive ecosystem of specialized robots, semi-humanoid robots, and humanoid robots, we aim to shape the future of the service robotics industry and deliver exceptional value across various applications,” said Felix Zhang, Founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics, in a statement.

Advancing automation

Pudu Robotics unveiled the “semi-humanoid robot” concept in May of this year as a part of their long-term strategy plan for the service robotics sector.

Pudu Robotics is focused on creating three different types of robots: completely humanoid robots for intricate human interactions, semi-humanoid robots for flexible and adaptive applications, and specialized robots for certain activities.

Within the service robotics industry, each type of robot meets a distinct set of needs, improving both client satisfaction and operational efficiency. The company believes this innovative approach presents tremendous opportunities for the advancement of humanoid robotics and opens the door to a future where robots can smoothly execute a wide range of functions across varied situations.

According to the firm, it focuses on addressing real-world customer needs while advancing service robotics. The D7 offers solutions that streamline repetitive tasks, allowing businesses to focus on strategic operations.

In addition, Pudu aims to improve data security by using anonymized data collection and it holds ISO/IEC certifications in this regard.

According to a statement , the company plans to invest further in semi-humanoid robotics like the D7, aiming to create versatile robots for various industries and solidify its leadership in intelligent automation.

Versatile robot

The D7 was developed by Pudu X-Lab, Pudu Robotics’ R&D arm. It is a semi- humanoid robot standing 165 cm tall and weighing 99 pounds (45 kilograms). Its bionic arm, which extends 65 cm with 30 degrees of freedom, can increase to 50 degrees with a dexterous hand attachment. These features allow the D7 to perform tasks like elevator operation, item transport, and sorting.

The robot is powered by a battery exceeding 1 kWh, providing over 8 hours of continuous operation. It moves omnidirectionally with a top speed of 2 m/s and remains stable on slopes up to 10 degrees. Its bionic arms can lift 22 pounds (10 kilograms), and the arm’s end-point precision reaches 0.1 millimeters.

Equipped with a multi-layered intelligence system, the D7 integrates data-driven embodied intelligence and advanced AI models. Using a hierarchical control system, which involves both high-level strategic planning and low-level real-time actions, the robot can handle complex service scenarios, continuously learning and improving its performance over time.

The firm claims that with its adaptability and embodied intelligence, the D7 is “poised to deliver seamless, end-to-end task execution across multiple industries, driving the large-scale commercialization of semi-humanoid service robots.”