Kepler Robotics :: Humanoid Robots Designed to Address Labor Shortages in Industrial & Service Sectors

Kepler Robotics (Kepler Exploration Robot Co., Ltd. / Shanghai Kepler Robot Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese humanoid robotics company founded in 2023. It specializes in developing general-purpose humanoid robots designed to address labor shortages in industrial and service sectors. The company rapidly emerged as a notable player in the global humanoid robotics race, positioning its products as accessible, high-performance alternatives to systems like Tesla’s Optimus.

Kepler focuses on creating versatile, bionic humanoids capable of performing complex tasks in real-world environments. Its robots integrate advanced actuators, multi-modal AI, and embodied intelligence for applications in intelligent manufacturing, warehousing & logistics, high-risk operations, smart inspection, research & education, and potentially domestic services.

Key robot-based products — Kepler Forerunner Series:

• K1, S1, D1 (Forerunner Series): These are the core general-purpose humanoid models. Each stands approximately 178 cm (5’10”) tall and weighs around 85 kg. They feature up to 40 degrees of freedom (with some models reaching 52 DOF), including highly dexterous hands with 11–12 DOF.
• Advanced Actuation: Uses self-developed planetary roller screw actuators and rotary harmonic drives for powerful, precise, and efficient movement.
• Sensing & Intelligence: Equipped with 3D vision sensors, fisheye cameras, IMUs, torque/force/position sensors, and AI systems supporting deep learning, reinforcement learning, and multi-modal large language models (LLMs). This enables autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, hand-eye coordination, object manipulation, and natural interaction.
• K2 “Bumblebee”: A newer, enhanced model with improved dexterous hands, higher compute power (up to 100 TOPS), and hybrid architecture. It supports advanced industrial automation tasks like assembly, inspection, and material handling.

Kepler offers an open Kepler OS developer platform with APIs, documentation, and reference projects to encourage customization and ecosystem development. The company began mass production in 2024–2025, with international pricing targeted around $20,000–$30,000, making it one of the more competitively priced full-size humanoids.