Latest news with #LimXDynamics
Fox News
28-03-2025
- Fox News
China's Tron 1 robot hurdles over obstacles like they're nothing
Chinese company LimX Dynamics has just unveiled the Tron 1, a multi-modal biped robot that's turning heads in the robotics world. This compact powerhouse offers not one, not two, but three distinct modes of locomotion – walking, rolling and pivoting – all in one sleek package. Whether navigating rough terrain or zipping across various surfaces, Tron 1 adapts with ease, showcasing its impressive versatility and capabilities. Standing at about 33 inches tall and weighing less than 44 pounds, Tron 1 is a compact yet powerful robot designed for versatility. Its modular foot-end system allows it to switch seamlessly between three different configurations. The point-foot setup is ideal for precise legged control and agile movements, while the sole configuration mimics humanoid walking for a smoother, more natural gait. For faster mobility across varied terrains, the wheeled mode provides swift and efficient all-terrain travel. Don't let its size fool you. Tron 1 packs a punch in the processing department. Equipped with a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, this robot is ready to tackle complex tasks and algorithms. Its 48V actuators deliver a peak torque of about 59 pounds-feet, allowing it to carry loads up to 22 pounds (with a maximum of 33 pounds). That's some serious muscle for a robot of its size. Recent demonstrations have showcased Tron 1's impressive agility. It can hop over hurdles, climb irregular stairs and navigate obstacles with ease. While it excels in many areas, it does have its limits; a maximum climbing angle of 15 degrees and obstacle height limitation of 15 cm keep it grounded in reality. Still, it's pretty impressive to see it bounce back from a push, showing off its self-balancing skills. Tron 1 is more than just a fancy toy. It's a serious research tool. With support for Python development and compatibility with simulation platforms like NVIDIA Isaac and Mujoco, it bridges the gap between virtual and real-world experimentation. The open SDK and hardware interfaces allow researchers to push the boundaries of robotic motion control and embodied intelligence. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or just starting out, TRON 1 offers endless possibilities for exploration and innovation. Priced at $15,000, Tron 1 comes ready to use right out of the box. It caters to both beginners and professionals, with a comprehensive user manual and example code to get you started. The standard edition is perfect for those looking to explore the world of multi-modal robotics without diving into secondary development. If you're looking for more customization options, the Education Edition is the way to go. Tron 1's versatility, processing power and user-friendly design make it an invaluable tool for research, education and innovation. As we continue to push the boundaries of what robots can do, machines like Tron 1 will play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of artificial intelligence and human-robot interaction. The future of robotics is here, and it's walking, rolling and pivoting its way into our lives. Do you think robots like Tron 1 will make our lives safer or introduce new risks we haven't considered? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
China's robotics start-ups emerge as new venture-capital darlings
China's robotics market is witnessing an investment boom, as start-ups in the field obtain increased venture- capital funding, raising the sector's potential to become as important as the country's electric-vehicle (EV) industry. In the first two months of the year, nearly 2 billion yuan (US$276 million) in new funding went to humanoid robot developers across 20 deals, up from 1.2 billion yuan generated from 4 transactions a year earlier, according to data from ITJuzi, which tracks China's venture-capital market. That development reflects China's position as a leading player in building humanoid robots; the domestic industry predicted to be on the cusp of achieving mass production and commercialisation in 2025. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Of the 100 publicly-traded companies worldwide that Morgan Stanley "confirmed to be involved" in developing humanoid robots, 56 per cent were based in China, according to a research paper published last month. China is also home to 45 per cent of the world's integrators, which are firms that customise robots to match end-user needs, according to the report. A Chinese-made humanoid robot interacts with visitors at a booth during this week's 2025 MWC Barcelona trade show in Spain. Photo: Xinhua alt=A Chinese-made humanoid robot interacts with visitors at a booth during this week's 2025 MWC Barcelona trade show in Spain. Photo: Xinhua> At least three Chinese robotics start-ups on Thursday announced new financing, including LimX Dynamics, AI2Robotics and Eyoubot. LimX Dynamics said it completed a series A+ funding round, several months after its series A financing in July. The firm said it raised 500 million yuan from the two fundraising events. Its investors include China Merchants Group, EV maker Nio and Alibaba Group Holding, owner of the Post. Founded in 2022, LimX Dynamics develops humanoid robots that can lift heavy loads and be deployed in factories and warehouses. AI2Robotics said its latest funding round collected more than 100 million yuan from institutions such as Dunhong Capital and Yunqi Capital. Dunhong is known for its early investment in Unitree Robotics. Two months ago, AI2Robotics said it completed a fundraising that raised "hundreds of millions of yuan" from Dunhong Capital, Fortune Capital and CoStone Capital. The start-up said it has signed up a number of first-tier domestic and international automotive companies as clients, and recorded sales worth "tens of millions of yuan" in 2024. Both LimX Dynamics and AI2Robotics are based in Shenzhen, in southern Guangdong province. They form part of the city's "magnificent eight" robot enterprises, which includes Hong Kong-listed UBTech Robotics and EngineAI, which last month showed off the world's first front-flip by a humanoid robot. Meanwhile, Eyoubot said it completed a series-A funding round that raised 50 million yuan. Founded in Wuxi, a city in eastern Jiangsu province, the start-up said it would relocate to an industrial estate in Shanghai. The firm, which develops and manufactures robotic joints, said it expects to ship around 180,000 units this year, up from around 30,000 units in 2024. The increased investor interest in these start-ups comes amid Unitree's high-profile showcase of its humanoid robots since they were first unveiled in 2023. The firm showed off the dancing skills of its general-purpose H1 humanoid robots at this year's Spring Festival Gala, China's most-watched television show, to the delight of more than 1 billion viewers. Unitree, however, last month issued a warning about scams that aimed to exploit growing interest from investors seeking to acquire shares of the privately held company. Company founder Wang Xingxing last month was seen seated in the front row of a high-profile business symposium hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing has attached greater importance to the robotics sector. In the latest government work report presented this week at the annual meetings of China's top legislature and main advisory body - together known as the "two sessions" - mentioned the term "embodied intelligence" for the first time. It refers to the application of artificial intelligence in physical systems, such as robots. The state will "establish a mechanism for the growth of investment in futuristic industries", which include embodied intelligence, according to the report. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
South China Morning Post
08-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's robotics start-ups emerge as new venture-capital darlings
China's robotics market is witnessing an investment boom, as start-ups in the field obtain increased venture- capital funding, raising the sector's potential to become as important as the country's electric-vehicle (EV) industry. Advertisement In the first two months of the year, nearly 2 billion yuan (US$276 million) in new funding went to humanoid robot developers across 20 deals, up from 1.2 billion yuan generated from 4 transactions a year earlier, according to data from ITJuzi, which tracks China's venture-capital market. That development reflects China's position as a leading player in building humanoid robots; the domestic industry predicted to be on the cusp of achieving mass production and commercialisation in 2025. China is also home to 45 per cent of the world's integrators, which are firms that customise robots to match end-user needs, according to the report. A Chinese-made humanoid robot interacts with visitors at a booth during this week's 2025 MWC Barcelona trade show in Spain. Photo: Xinhua At least three Chinese robotics start-ups on Thursday announced new financing, including LimX Dynamics, AI2Robotics and Eyoubot.
