DEEP Robotics just unveiled what it calls the world’s first all-weather humanoid robot.
The Hangzhou-based robotics firm says it engineered its second-generation fake human, called the DR02, to survive conditions that would easily destroy lab-bound humanoid robots. Standing 175 cm (5 feet 7 inches) and weighing 65 kg (143 lbs), the industrial-grade machine can reportedly withstand heavy rain, mud, and can even take a shower.
According to DEEP Robotics, the humanoid meets IP66 certification requirements, meaning it’s completely dust proof and can withstand high-pressure water jets from any direction. The DR02’s ruggedized body, sealed electronics, and temperate resilience allow it to operate in temperatures ranging from –20 °C to +55 °C. The robot is not fully submersible like research-grade humanoids like Stanford’s OceanOneK, which can dive to depths of more than 1,000 meters underwater, but it’s built to handle real-world weather conditions on land.
Boasting 275 TOPS of onboard computing power, the DR02 is equipped with DEEP Robotics’ latest motion control and perception suite. It features a modular design so parts can easily be swapped out for maintenance in industrial settings.
Each arm can lift up to 10 kg (22 lbs). The robot moves at speeds of 1.5 m/s (3.3 mph) in normal conditions and up to 4 m/s (9 mph) in short bursts. It can climb 20-degree slopes, handle rough terrain, and maintain balance in rain and wind.
Pricing it not yet available but the company’s industrial quadrupedal robots go for between $18K and more than $40K.
Spun out of Zhejiang University in 2017, DEEP Robotics belongs to a group of Chinese startups known nicknamed “Hangzhou’s 6 Little Dragons.” Other members include DeepSeek, Game Science, BrainCo, Manycore, and fellow robot manufacturer Unitree Robotics.
The startup recently secured nearly $70 million in a financing round to boost R&D into its quadrupeds, humanoids and other next-gen bots. According to Dealroom, the company has an enterprise value of around $1.3 billion.