Kepler Robotics
Kepler Robotics is a Shanghai startup developing the K2 full-size humanoid robot aimed at industrial and commercial tasks.
Company Overview
- Kepler was founded by serial entrepreneurs with deep robotics and electronics backgrounds.
- Its K2 humanoid targets factory, logistics and service tasks with full-size bipedal design.
- The company is part of Shanghai's push to build a humanoid-robot industry cluster.
Key Facts
| Full Name | Kepler Robotics (Shanghai) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 上海开普勒机器人 |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
| Core Products | K2 full-size humanoid robot |
| Status | Emerging industrial humanoid maker |
Data Snapshot
| Founded | 2023, Shanghai |
|---|---|
| FY2025 Revenue | RMB 4.34M; net loss RMB 66.9M (R&D-heavy early stage) |
| 2026 Q1 | Revenue RMB 2.64M; net loss RMB 17.1M; net assets RMB 106M |
| Orders on Hand | RMB 47M+ (mid-2026, repeat-customer orders) |
| 2026 Financing | A2 (Feb), A3 (May), and A++ (~RMB 100M+, Apr, SAIF lead; Norlift 603611 & Minbao 301362 strategic) |
| Ownership Change | May 2026: Hangzhou Kelin (A-share) took control via a ≤RMB 300M stake raise (41.57%) |
| Capacity | ~1,000 units/yr across Foshan, Binzhou & Jiangyin; ~2-month delivery; 80% in-house core parts |
| Focus | Industrial & commercial humanoids: automotive, machining, logistics, special ops, education |
Products & Specs
| Product | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K2 | Full-size industrial humanoid | In stable mass production; six deployment scenarios |
| Embodied AI brain | Hardware + real-world data + foundation model stack | Core strategic upgrade 2026 |
| Force-tactile data collection | Data platform for embodied training | Stated focus after A++ round |
Key Customers
- Automotive manufacturing & precision machining — early deployment verticals
- Smart logistics & high-altitude special operations — commercial rollouts
- Commercial services & vocational training — education实训 programs
- Repeat-customer orders >RMB 47M on hand (2026)
Recent Milestones
- 2023 — Founded in Shanghai
- 2024 — K2 industrial humanoid unveiled
- Feb 2026 — Series A2 round completed
- Apr 2026 — A++ round (~RMB 100M; SAIF lead, two A-share strategic investors)
- May 2026 — Hangzhou Kelin acquires 41.57% control (up to RMB 300M); CEO transition reported
- 2026 H1 — Q1 revenue exceeds 50% of full-year 2025; orders on hand RMB 47M+
- Jul 2026 — Real-scenario training program push; scale production & commercial delivery
Actuators & Sensors
- Full-size humanoid joint modules.
- Vision + LiDAR perception for navigation and manipulation.
- Whole-body control for industrial tasks.
Supply-Chain Analysis
- Kepler designs core hardware in Shanghai and uses domestic component supply.
- Part of Shanghai's humanoid-robot innovation ecosystem.
- Focuses on practical industrial deployment over demo theatrics.
Competitor Comparison
Versus UBTECH and Unitree (full humanoids): Kepler competes on industrial practicality and Shanghai ecosystem ties. Versus UBTECH (Walker), it targets newer, cost-optimized hardware.
Global Benchmark
Kepler is one of the few Chinese startups built specifically for heavy-duty "blue-collar" humanoids, differentiating from Unitree's consumer-speed lineup and AgiBot's research-first approach. The April 2026 A++ round (SAIF leading, with Noli Intelligent Equipment and Shenzhen Minbao Photoelectric as strategic investors) funds its embodied-AI brain and force-tactile data play; in May 2026 Hangzhou Keling agreed to pay up to 300 million CNY for 41.57% to take 51% control — one of the first A-share takeovers of a humanoid startup, valuing Kepler against the global race of Tesla Optimus, Figure AI and Boston Dynamics. Its bet: heavy lifting in factories and logistics pays for humanoids before retail does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kepler Robotics do?
Kepler Robotics (开普勒机器人) is a Chinese robotics company whose focus is K2 full-size humanoid robot. It sits in the fast-moving Chinese humanoid and embodied-AI segment, where companies compete on joint actuation, perception and manufacturing cost.
How does Kepler Robotics compare with humanoid leaders such as Unitree, Fourier or Tesla Optimus?
China's humanoid field is crowded. Kepler Robotics is part of that ecosystem, competing against better-known names such as Unitree and Fourier and international programs like Tesla Optimus. Differentiation usually comes from K2 full-size humanoid robot, plus supply-chain and cost advantages common to Chinese builders.
Where is Kepler Robotics based?
Kepler Robotics (开普勒机器人) is headquartered in Shanghai, China, China, one of the country's robot-industry clusters.