KEENON Robotics propels the intelligent evolution of service robot technology.

      Credit: KEENON Robotics

      Shanghai-based technology company KEENON Robotics, founded in 2010, has transformed over the last 15 years from an experimental research firm into a specialized business focused on developing and utilizing service robots. Throughout this time, KEENON Robotics has tackled several major challenges in robotics technology and has applied its products across a range of sectors, including dining, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing, gradually positioning itself as a significant player in the service robotics industry.

      Technological advancement through a human-centered approach

      KEENON Robotics’ advancements in robotics technology are rooted in its ongoing commitment to the principle of "robots serving humans." Since 2010, at a time when many companies remained skeptical about the commercialization of robotics, KEENON concentrated on essential challenges such as positioning accuracy, environmental perception, and motion control. By incorporating SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology, KEENON’s robots achieved centimeter-level positioning accuracy in intricate environments, enhancing their functionality in practical applications.

      KEENON’s XMAN-F1 adapts to a variety of service environments

      In July, KEENON introduced its newest bipedal humanoid robot, XMAN-F1, which signifies a shift from specialized robots to versatile service robots. Utilizing the advanced VLA (Visual-Language-Action) large model, KOM2.0, the XMAN-F1 can independently adjust to diverse complex situations, providing intelligent services to users.

      The humanoid robot XMAN-F1 is equipped with 3D vision and voice recognition capabilities, enabling it to understand intricate instructions. In hotel scenarios, the robot can autonomously brew tea to a specified temperature, select the type of tea, adjust the water settings, and complete the entire process without human intervention.

      With dual robotic arms featuring 7-degree-of-freedom joints and force-feedback sensors, it is capable of executing precise tasks like opening bottles or folding clothes. Factory tests indicate that a single arm can manage loads up to 300 kilograms with a precision margin of less than 0.1 millimeters.

      The robot also includes a reinforcement learning-based dynamic balance system, allowing it to traverse complex terrains and react to unforeseen collisions. In simulated home settings, it can step over obstacles as tall as five centimeters while steering clear of items like pet toys. KEENON has initiated pilot deployments of the XMAN-F1 with partners including Shangri-La Hotels and Walmart, focusing on applications in hotel services and warehouse logistics.

      Specialized robots for various environments

      Alongside humanoid robots, KEENON provides specialized service robots, such as the T Series Dining Robot 4.0, M Series Medical Robot Pro, and H Series Home Service Robot. These robots are tailored for dining, healthcare, and home environments, offering customized solutions. The T Series is designed to navigate narrow restaurant aisles, while the M Series integrates UV disinfection, medication delivery, and waste collection.

      A closed-loop ecosystem of hardware, algorithms, and data

      KEENON Robotics' technological innovations encompass not only hardware but also advancements in algorithms and data. Its self-developed KEENON chip enhances computing power while minimizing energy consumption, enabling robots to function efficiently over longer periods. The KOM2.0 large model, trained on extensive scenario data, features few-shot learning capabilities, facilitating quick adaptation to new work environments. Additionally, KEENON has established a closed-loop system linking hardware, algorithms, and data to support ongoing iteration and enhancement of its robots.

      Global growth and future outlook

      KEENON Robotics has set up marketing centers in over 60 countries and regions, with products in markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Europe. The company plans to establish research and development centers in Germany, the United States, and Japan, further extending its global presence. In the upcoming years, KEENON is expected to continue advancing the digitalization and intelligent transformation of the service industry.

      Jessie Wu is a technology reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming sector for TechNode. You can reach her via e-mail at [email protected]. More by Jessie Wu