Another day, another advanced humanoid robot from China. This time it’s the CL-2 from LimX Dynamics.
The Shenzen-based startup says it’s taking a different approach as it seeks to move its new AI-powered humanoid to market.
Founded in 2022, LimX Dynamics says it’s comprised of robotics experts from renowned institutions who’ve published more than 130 papers. The startup is known for its W1 quadruped that transforms into a bipedal robot and the TRON1, a modular biped robot.
LimX’s robots use multi-sensor fusion to gather data from all directions to create detailed 3D maps of their surroundings. AI predicts their position and orientation to navigate safely on diverse terrain. The system calculates the best foot placement, force needed, and movement speed for smooth and safe interactions.
In new demo footage, LimX says its second-generation humanoid is more compact, powerful and high-performance than its predecessor, the CL-1. The robot can rotate its torso 360 degrees, perform deep squats, and fold up, similar to Atlas. According to LimX, the leg joints have a larger range of motion compared to humanoids in its class.
As noted by @TheHumanoidHub on the X social media platform, the legs appear to lack Boston Dynamics’s flagship humanoid’s rotation from below the hips.
Chinese startup LimX has just unveiled its next-gen humanoid robot—a significant evolution from its CL-1,2 bots, particularly in waist and hip actuation.
— The Humanoid Hub (@TheHumanoidHub) December 30, 2024
The hip joint design resembles that of Atlas, though the legs appear to lack Atlas's 360° rotation from below the hips. https://t.co/mMUgfKNVqF pic.twitter.com/HIng1qlSdC
In text overlay, LimX says the CL-2 emphasizes efficiency, using the shortest and most direct paths to complete movements. The design prioritizes function over strict biological mimicry. By avoiding unnecessary movements, LimX says the robot consumes less energy than robots like Atlas and Unitree’s H1 general-purpose humanoid.
The CL-2 is geared toward real-world use cases where precision, flexibility, and dynamic motion are crucial.
LimX says it aims to continue improving the CL-2 into 2025. The company has 11 listings on its careers website seeking hardware and software engineers, simulation developers, VR interaction experts, mechanical engineers, and AI experts.
LimX unveiled its first-generation humanoid robot, the CL-1, in early 2024. Standing 157 centimeters, or about 5 feet 2 inches, the CL-1 is designed to lift and move heavy objects in warehouse-type settings.
The startup has secured at least $27.4 million in funding across four rounds from 13 investors. For comparison, Beijing-based RobotEra secured about $42 million in pre-series A funding in October 2024. Around that time, the startup generated buzz as its flagship, the Star1, dethroned Unitree’s H1 as the world’s fastest bipedal humanoid robot.