Six-armed and four-legged robots unveiled in China - ForkLog: cryptocurrencies, AI, singularity, future

# Six-Armed and Four-Legged Robots Unveiled in China

Home appliance manufacturer Midea Group has developed the six-armed industrial robot MIRO U. It is planned to be implemented at the washing machine factory in Wuxi by the end of December, SCMP reports.

The company’s CTO Wei Chang stated that the “super humanoid” is a potential driver of industrial productivity. It is expected to increase work efficiency by 30% at the plant located in the southern Jiangsu province.

MIRO U is the third generation in the company’s humanoid robot family. It provides smooth and stable vertical lifting, features the ability to rotate 360 degrees in place, and can move on wheels. Additionally, six bionic arms are integrated.

“The core value of MIRO U is that it goes beyond simple imitation of form and enables a leap in operational efficiency in industrial scenarios,” Chang noted.

He added that the Meila droid series, designed for commercial and domestic use, is undergoing final tests and will be available in the company’s retail stores in 2026.

Over the past few years, Midea has invested significant funds in robotics. In 2017, it acquired German company Kuka, and in 2022 received government approval to establish the State Key Laboratory for High-End Heavy Duty Robots, also known as the Blue Orange Laboratory.

Quadruped Bot

Chinese robot manufacturer Pudu Robotics unveiled the four-legged D5 bot at the International Exhibition in Tokyo. It descended stairs and raised its right front “paw,” as if greeting the audience.

The robot then drove around the exhibition hall on wheels, avoiding obstacles.

D5. Source: SCMP. This is the second robot dog model from Pudu after a smaller and less agile version introduced in 2022. Since then, the industry has recorded achievements in motion control algorithms.

“Robot dogs have great application potential, from inspection and delivery to a wide range of industry functions that can be customized with high-performance computing,” commented Pudu founder and CEO Felix Zhang Tao.

Felix Zhang Tao. Source: SCMP. D5 is equipped with an Nvidia Orin chip, four 120° fisheye cameras, and dual front and rear LiDAR sensors. It can autonomously operate in “any conditions.”

Shenzhen-based Pudu is known for a wide range of robots that deliver food, perform cleaning, or handle logistics. The company has sold more than 100,000 units in over 80 countries and regions.

Europe accounts for about 30% of revenue, America 20%, with similar shares for the Asia-Pacific region and China.

After nearly 10 years in operation, the company is approaching break-even.

Robot Boom

In 2025, China experienced a real robot boom. Developers are demonstrating amazing results. Bots:

• play soccer;
• run marathons;
• fight.

In mid-March, UBTech Robotics unveiled a humanoid robot priced at 299,000 yuan ($41 200).

It stands 1.7 meters tall and can move at speeds of up to 10 km/h. Tien Kung Xingzhe easily adapts to various surfaces—from slopes and stairs to sand and snow—maintaining smooth movement and stability when encountering collisions and external disturbances.

ByteDance has introduced a system that acts as a “brain” for bots. It enables them to perform household tasks such as hanging clothes or clearing a table.

Such developments have raised concerns from the National Development and Reform Commission of China. It stated that a bubble may be forming in the robotics sector, noting the increase in similar models from more than 150 companies.

According to the organization’s spokesperson, Li Chao, it is important for the country to avoid market oversaturation and maintain incentives for real research and development.

Tether Is Also Betting on Robots

The well-known crypto industry company Tether has also placed a bet on robots. It announced an investment in Generative Bionics to support the development of a new generation of intelligent humanoids.

The funding is being provided jointly with other investors as part of a €70 million financing round.

“Generative Bionics has twenty years of research experience in robotics. At the Italian Institute of Technology, it has developed, tested, and improved over 60 advanced humanoid robot prototypes,” the Tether announcement states.

According to the USDT issuer, the “strong foundation” enables Generative Bionics “to transform Italy’s scientific excellence into real physical AI capabilities.”

Recall, in November, one of China’s leading robot manufacturers, UBTech Robotics, signed a major contract to supply humanoids to border checkpoints. They will accompany travelers, conduct inspections, and handle logistics.