The D9 is 1.70m tall, about the height of an average adult, and can carry up to 20kg. Designed to be useful, this robot is capable of cleaning the floor using the Pudu SH1 accessory, a washer-dryer intended for commercial spaces. But his talents don’t stop there: he can also carry packages in a warehouse, stock shelves in a store or even interact with customers during product demonstrations (whether customers will be up for it remains to be seen, but it’s is another story).
A humanoid who is not idle
Thanks to its two legs, the D9 moves at a maximum speed of 7.2 km/h, which is faster than a pedestrian on a walk. It climbs stairs and crosses slopes without blinking, while using all kinds of sensors to avoid obstacles and plan its movements. You can even give it a tap to test its balance: it stays upright, like the Boston Dynamics robots.
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But that’s not all. The D9 is equipped with two articulated arms offering 42 degrees of freedom and hands capable of handling delicate objects. This level of dexterity, combined with an advanced artificial intelligence system, allows it to perform complex tasks, such as sorting small components or simulating human interaction.
With the D9, Pudu Robotics enters into direct competition with companies like Tesla, which is working on its own humanoid robot, the Optimus, which could be marketed at a Price between $20,000 and $30,000. Pudu has not yet revealed the price of its D9, but could aim for a price in this range.
Founded in Shenzhen, Pudu Robotics initially specialized in simpler service robots, notably for contactless meal delivery in restaurants and hotels or for moving goods in warehouses. To date, the company has sold more than 80,000 units in 60 countries. In recent years, it has raised $192 million to finance its development, part of which went to the construction of a large factory in China’s Jiangsu province.
The D9 is not Pudu’s first humanoid robot. Before him, the semi-humanoid D7 was presented in September, equipped with wheels for tasks such as sorting objects in factories or serving in restaurants. With the D9, the company is pushing the capabilities of its machines even further, targeting applications in sectors such as sales, education and even automotive.
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