Chinese startup Pudu Robotics introduces its latest creation, the humanoid robot D9, standing at 5.57 ft (1.7 m) tall. Capable of walking upright and carrying up to 44 lb (20 kg), the D9 is designed to serve in various tasks. While the press release doesn't provide extensive details, it highlights the D9's ability to perform ground cleaning tasks using the Pudu SH1, an upright floor scrubber and dryer for commercial spaces. Additionally, the robot is shown in renders performing warehouse duties, such as carrying boxes and stocking shelves in a department store.

In September, Pudu Robotics introduced the semi-humanoid D7 robot, which operated on wheels and was designed for tasks such as component sorting in industrial settings, serving and clearing tables in restaurants, and autonomously operating elevators in office buildings. Given the enhanced capabilities of the newer D9 model, it's likely that it can handle all of these tasks and more, thanks to its upright walking ability and added versatility.

Figure 1. Humanoid Robot

With a walking speed of 4.5 mph (7.2 km/h), the D9 can move faster than the average person walking leisurely. It is also capable of navigating stairs and slopes, and uses high-accuracy sensors for "real-time 3D semantic mapping" to understand its surroundings, allowing it to autonomously determine its location and plan optimal routes. Figure 1 shows Humanoid Robot.

Additionally, the D9 can recover from being kicked off balance, much like the impressive stability demonstrated by Boston Dynamics' robots in their viral videos.

The D9 boasts 42 degrees of freedom thanks to its numerous joints, and it is equipped with dexterous hands to enable it to perform more delicate tasks, such as handling small items with precision using both hands.

The D9 also offers more impressive features. According to the press release, "Through a sophisticated processing framework that integrates advanced AI models, the D9 achieves human-level multimodal natural interactions, significantly enhancing the quality and responsiveness of the services it provides."

A render shows the bot demonstrating a car to a human on an exhibition floor, suggesting that the D9 might one day be capable of persuading you to purchase your next car—a remarkable feat indeed.

The Shenzhen-based company, Pudu Robotics, has built a reputation for creating robots designed for commercial cleaning, no-contact food delivery in restaurants and hotels, and moving cargo in warehouses. To date, the company has shipped 80,000 of these machines across 60 countries.

Pudu has raised $192 million across eight funding rounds in recent years, with Beijing-based food delivery giant Meituan participating in multiple rounds. Some of this capital has been invested in the construction of a major factory in Jiangsu, a province in eastern China.

With its latest innovations, Pudu is positioning itself to compete with major players like Tesla and Unitree. While the company hasn't disclosed the price of the D9, it is likely to be priced competitively. Given that Unitree's G1 is priced around $16,000, and Tesla’s Optimus is expected to be priced between $20,000 and $30,000, Pudu may aim for a price point somewhere in this range.

The D9 stands out from the G1 with its taller frame, greater dexterity, and almost three times the joint torque, making it a more advanced option for a variety of tasks. However, details like its battery capacity, charging time, and overall limitations remain undisclosed.

The real challenge for Pudu will be determining how demand, production scale, and the costs associated with engineering these advanced features will affect the final price. For now, Pudu is accepting inquiries for the D9 via its website, allowing businesses to explore the possibility of reducing human labor with this high-tech solution.

Source: Pudu Robotics

Cite this article:

Janani R (2024), Pudu Introduces a Life-Size Humanoid Robot Designed to Perform Warehouse Tasks, AnaTechMaz, pp. 103