Ant Group Enters Robotics Race with R1 Humanoid Robot
Shanghai, China – Ant Group, the financial technology giant affiliated with Alibaba, has thrown its hat into the increasingly crowded robotics arena with the unveiling of its first humanoid robot, the R1. The debut, made at the Inclusion Conference in Shanghai on Thursday, signals a significant push by the company into “embodied artificial intelligence” – essentially, bringing AI into the physical world.
The R1, developed by Ant’s newly formed robotics division, Ant lingbo Technology (also known as Robbyant), is a wheeled, two-armed humanoid designed for practical applications. During the conference, one R1 was on display while another demonstrated its capabilities in a mock kitchen setting, skillfully adding ingredients to a wok.
According to Ant Group, the first-generation R1 weighs 110kg and stands between 1.6 and 1.75 meters tall. It can move at speeds under 1.5 meters per second and boasts 34 degrees of freedom, allowing for a versatile range of motion. The company envisions the R1 performing tasks such as acting as a chef, providing guided tours, or executing remotely controlled operations.
notably, the R1 is already in production and has begun shipping to clients, including the Shanghai History Museum.However, Ant Group isn’t planning to sell the R1 as a standalone product. Instead, the robots will be offered as part of comprehensive “scenario solutions,” tailored to specific client needs. A second-generation model is already in growth,suggesting a commitment to rapid iteration and improvement.
Ant Lingbo Technology was established in Shanghai at the close of 2024 and officially launched in March, with strong support from local officials and Ant Group leadership, including Chairman Eric Jing Xiandong and CEO Cyril Han Xinyi. A further subsidiary was opened in Hangzhou in August.
“We are newcomers to this field, focusing on developing intelligence,” stated Zhu Xing, CEO of Robbyant. “Ant Group has consistently invested in life services – encompassing public welfare, healthcare, and finance. Robbyant aims to leverage embodied intelligence to seamlessly extend Ant’s digital services into the physical world, creating more impactful and accessible solutions.”
The launch positions Ant Group as a new competitor alongside established robotics firms like Unitree Robotics, intensifying the race to develop practical and commercially viable humanoid robots.This move underscores the growing belief that embodied AI will play a crucial role in the future of technology and service industries.
Keywords: Ant group, Robotics, Humanoid Robot, AI, Artificial Intelligence, R1, Ant Lingbo Technology, Unitree robotics, Shanghai, Technology News, Fintech, Alibaba.
