PHYBOT

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PHYBOT (Chinese: 动易科技), formally Beijing Phybot Technology Co., Ltd., is a Chinese robotics company founded in September 2024 that builds general-purpose humanoid robots, proprietary cycloidal drive actuators, and AI-driven motion control software. Its flagship PHYBOT M1 humanoid, which PHYBOT claims is the first full-size electric humanoid robot to perform a human-like standing backflip, uses in-house PhyArc cycloidal actuators rated at a peak joint torque of 530 N*m. Founded by Tsinghua University mechanical engineering roommates Ren Xiaoyu and Mao Shuhan, the company operates under the motto "Robot for AI" and a design philosophy it summarizes as "design hardware from AI, then hand the hardware back to AI," reflecting its view that purpose-built hardware is essential to bridging cognitive artificial intelligence and physical embodied intelligence.^{[1][2][3][11]}

The M1's PhyArc cycloidal drive actuators deliver a peak joint torque of 530 Nm with a torque density of 200 Nm/kg, placing PHYBOT among the most power-dense electric humanoid platforms on the market. The robot stands 172 cm tall, weighs under 60 kg, runs on a 72 V power system, and can output more than 10 kW of instantaneous power.^[4][5][6]

As of early 2026, PHYBOT had completed over 200 million yuan (approximately $28 million USD) in cumulative angel-round financing across three rounds, opened a smart manufacturing center in Guangzhou, launched an open-source AI motion control model called PhyCore, and expanded its product lineup to four robot platforms spanning industrial, service, and mobility applications.^[3][7][8]

When was PHYBOT founded and who started it?

PHYBOT was established in September 2024 by Ren Xiaoyu and Mao Shuhan, who were roommates in the mechanical engineering program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Before founding PHYBOT, Ren worked on humanoid robot algorithms at UBTECH Robotics in Shenzhen and served as Algorithm Director and senior motion control lead at Fourier Intelligence in Shanghai, giving him direct experience with two of China's most established humanoid robotics firms. Mao Shuhan holds dual degrees in engineering and finance and brings investment banking experience to the company's business operations.^[2][5][9]

The founders' combined expertise in mechanical engineering, motion control, and business strategy shaped PHYBOT's vertically integrated development approach. The company emphasizes full-stack proprietary development, from actuator hardware and mechanical design to motion control algorithms and AI software, with no reliance on open-source robotics frameworks. PHYBOT has described this philosophy as avoiding "technical crutches," aiming instead to build a technological moat comparable to the approaches taken by Tesla and AgiBot.^[2][5]

The company's research team draws talent from Tsinghua University, Beihang University, the Southern University of Science and Technology, UCLA, and UCSD, with research and development personnel accounting for over 85% of total staff. The core team is recognized for leading capabilities in reinforcement learning algorithms and full-size humanoid robot motion control.^[9]

WAIC 2025 and World Robot Conference

PHYBOT made its first major public appearances at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in July 2025 and the World Robot Conference (WRC) in Beijing in August 2025. At these events, the company showcased its PHYBOT M1 humanoid robot, the PHYBOT C1 compact companion robot, and its PhyArc series of cycloidal joint modules. The M1's demonstration of a standing backflip drew significant media attention and established PHYBOT as a notable newcomer in the humanoid robotics field.^[4][10][11]

At the 2025 World Robot Conference, PHYBOT received the "2025 China's Most Investable Robot Companies TOP 20" award, evaluated based on commercialization progress, product maturity, and technological leadership.^[11]

How much funding has PHYBOT raised?

PHYBOT has raised capital across three angel-stage financing rounds since its founding, reaching cumulative angel-stage funding of over 200 million yuan (approximately $28 million USD) by January 2026:^[3][8][9]

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The Angel round in late 2024 was co-led by Fengrui Capital and Z Fund (the Zhipu Ecosystem Fund, linked to AI company Zhipu AI). The Angel+ round, announced on April 17, 2025, brought the total past 100 million yuan and was led by Qingzhi Capital with participation from multiple existing investors and the Tsinghua Alumni Seed Fund. In January 2026, PHYBOT completed its Angel++ round, bringing cumulative angel-stage funding to over 200 million yuan (approximately $28 million USD). The Angel++ round added Guangzhou-based government-backed funds and private equity investors as the company established its manufacturing base in the Pearl River Delta region.^[3][8][9]

The company announced plans to deploy the capital toward three priorities: deepening technology research and development around its general-purpose humanoid robots and core joint module technologies, accelerating product-scale commercialization and delivery, and expanding its global presence. PHYBOT had also secured partnership agreements with several leading industry clients by that time, with products entering pilot verification phases.^[3]

Guangzhou Manufacturing Center

On February 6, 2026, PHYBOT officially opened its smart manufacturing center in Guangzhou's Pazhou AI and Digital Economy Pilot Zone, establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in the city. This facility represents the company's "dual-engine" strategy, with Beijing serving as the advanced research and development hub while Guangzhou handles engineering implementation and mass production. Co-founder Mao Shuhan described Guangzhou as offering "good soil for robot enterprises to achieve innovative development," citing the Pearl River Delta's complete robot industry chain, hundreds of component suppliers and system integrators, mature automotive supply chains with relevant component expertise, and diverse application scenarios across manufacturing, logistics, commerce, and healthcare.^[7][12]

At the Guangzhou launch event, PHYBOT also unveiled two new announcements: the PHYBOT C2 service robot (its first mass-production humanoid) and PhyCore 0.1, an open-source AI motion control model.^[7]

What technology powers PHYBOT robots?

PhyArc Cycloidal Drive Actuators

The defining technology behind PHYBOT's product lineup is the PhyArc series of integrated cycloidal drive joint modules, developed entirely in-house and now in their third generation. Unlike the harmonic drives used in more than 90% of humanoid robot joint modules on the market, PHYBOT opted for cycloidal gear actuators, a mechanical system traditionally reserved for heavy-duty industrial robots. The decision to build around cycloidal drives is the company's core technical bet and the basis of its competitive differentiation.^[4][5][13]

Cycloidal drives transfer motion by distributing forces across multiple rolling contact points rather than relying on a single gear tooth. This design provides several advantages over harmonic drives for a humanoid robot that must handle high-impact dynamic loads:^[13][14]

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The PhyArc actuators uniquely combine what PHYBOT calls "high torque, high precision, and low reverse drive force" in a single compact package. Each module integrates a self-developed cycloidal reducer with a built-in cross-roller bearing, a torque motor, drive electronics, and dual encoders. The communication architecture uses a proprietary hybrid Ethernet + CAN FD system supporting bandwidths exceeding 100 Mbps and delivering hard real-time communication at over 1 kHz. The company has described its core performance advantages as lightweight design, high burst output, impact resistance, precision, low back-drivability, high-frequency communication, and high integration.^[10][11][15]

The PhyArc product line includes at least six models, with two primary variants optimized for different applications:^[10][11]

• PhyArc 150: A high-torque variant designed for the larger joints of full-size humanoid robots like the M1 and the D1 wheeled-foot robot. This model delivers peak torque exceeding 530 N*m.
• PhyArc 102: A high torque-density variant optimized for applications where compactness and power-to-weight ratio are prioritized over absolute torque.

Rated torque across the product line ranges from 3 to 150 N*m, with rated voltages spanning 24 to 72 V and rated speeds of 80 to 100 RPM. Repeat positioning accuracy is better than 1 arcminute across all models.^[15]

PHYBOT markets the PhyArc modules not only as components of its own robots but also as standalone products for use in quadruped robots, robotic arms, exoskeletons, and other intelligent hardware systems.^[10][11]

The tradeoff of PHYBOT's approach is that cycloidal drives have not been fully validated by the broader market for humanoid applications. Harmonic drives remain the preferred choice for most high-end humanoid robots due to their proven track record and extremely low backlash. PHYBOT's bet on cycloidal technology is a calculated gamble that the advantages in strength, durability, and shock resistance will outweigh the risks of adopting a less established approach in the humanoid segment.^[14]

How does PHYBOT control its robots?

On the software side, PHYBOT has developed what it calls a "General Motion Control Model" using an end-to-end architecture that outputs joint commands directly from high-level task instructions without subdividing tasks into subtasks. This approach is designed to enhance motion generalization and robustness, allowing robots to adapt to a wider range of physical tasks in unstructured environments without extensive per-task programming. The model reflects PHYBOT's emphasis on AI-native design, where hardware is engineered from the ground up to work in concert with learned motion policies rather than being retrofitted with AI capabilities after the fact.^[3][9][10]

The company's development workflow begins with reinforcement learning validation in simulation before proceeding to physical implementation, inverting the traditional robotics development sequence where hardware is designed first and software is layered on afterward. PHYBOT argues this native hardware-software synergy, combining simulation verification, structural optimization, and algorithm training into a complete closed loop, produces robots that are better suited for learning-based control and real-world adaptation. The company frames its workflow as "design hardware from AI, then hand the hardware back to AI."^[10][11]

Is PhyCore open source?

In February 2026, PHYBOT released PhyCore 0.1, an AI motion control model built on reinforcement learning adversarial training. The company announced that PhyCore would be "permanently free" and globally open-source for its basic functions, with continuous iteration over time. PHYBOT describes PhyCore as the "intelligent cerebellum" of its robots, intended to address fundamental robot movement control challenges and to become the standard motion control system equipped on all PHYBOT robots at the factory.^[7]

The decision to open-source PhyCore reflects a strategy to build a developer ecosystem around PHYBOT's hardware platforms, positioning PHYBOT alongside other Chinese robotics companies that have embraced open-source approaches, such as Unitree Robotics with its open developer ecosystem. PHYBOT differentiates through the integration of reinforcement learning specifically for physical motion control rather than general-purpose robot programming.

What robots does PHYBOT make?

PHYBOT's product lineup spans four distinct robot platforms, each applying the company's core PhyArc actuator technology to different market segments and use cases. The company is focused on accelerating commercialization and delivery of the M1, C2, and D1 across industrial handling, emergency response, life services, and scientific research education scenarios.

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PHYBOT M1

The PHYBOT M1 is the company's flagship product: a full-size, electrically driven humanoid robot standing 172 cm tall and weighing under 60 kg. The M1 is designed for physically demanding tasks in industrial, logistics, and disaster response environments. It features 32+ degrees of freedom, a peak joint torque of 530 N*m, peak instantaneous power output exceeding 10 kilowatts, a 72 V power system, a dual 9 Ah swappable battery system providing over 2 hours of runtime, and a hybrid computing architecture pairing an NVIDIA Jetson Orin with an Intel Core i7 processor. The dual-arm payload capacity ranges from 10 to 20 kg, with a modular backpack system capable of carrying over 50 kg.^[4][5][6]

The M1 gained worldwide attention for performing a full standing backflip followed by a precision "superman" landing in November 2025, which PHYBOT describes as making it "the first full-sized electric humanoid to pull off a humanlike backflip." Other electric humanoids, including Unitree's H1 and Boston Dynamics' Atlas, had previously demonstrated backflips, but PHYBOT positions the M1 as the first full-size, heavy-duty platform to do so. With a target price under $42,000, the M1 is positioned as both a research-grade platform and an industrial workhorse that undercuts many competitors on cost.^[4][5][6]

For a detailed technical breakdown, see the full article on PHYBOT M1.

PHYBOT C1

The PHYBOT C1 is a compact humanoid robot standing 128 cm tall and weighing 28 kg, designed for social interaction, companionship, and light-duty assistance in indoor environments. The C1 is notable for being one of the first small humanoid robots to incorporate cycloidal gear actuators, achieving a maximum joint torque of 244 N*m. It features an advanced imaging module for multimodal interaction, an HD projection system capable of displaying information directly in front of the user, and a dynamic breathing light strip for visual feedback and emotional expression cues. The removable battery provides over 4 hours of runtime with modular quick-swap support. The C1 targets a price point of approximately $22,000.^[16][17]

For a detailed technical breakdown, see the full article on PHYBOT C1.

PHYBOT C2

The PHYBOT C2 is the company's first mass-production humanoid robot, unveiled at the Guangzhou manufacturing center launch event in February 2026. Described as "a service robot with warmth," the C2 is an agile humanoid designed specifically for commercial service environments. At 135 cm tall and 35 kg, the C2 is slightly larger and heavier than the C1. It features 25+ degrees of freedom, a 5 kg dual-arm payload capacity, a movement speed of 4 m/s, and support for emotional interaction LED strips and projection modules. Target applications include commercial navigation and guidance, educational research, and home companionship. The C2 is designed to "open new scenarios without existing solutions" rather than replace existing jobs. It represents PHYBOT's initial push toward high-volume manufacturing and commercial deployment.^[7][8]

PHYBOT D1

The PHYBOT D1 is a four-wheeled-foot hybrid robot that represents the company's expansion beyond bipedal humanoid form factors. The D1 applies PHYBOT's core actuator technology to an all-terrain mobility platform, equipped with 12 PhyArc 150 joint modules. The robot is designed for extreme payload and terrain capabilities that far exceed those of the company's bipedal humanoids:^[8]

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The D1's 500 kg maximum payload and ability to conquer 45-degree slopes and 85 cm high platforms position it for applications in extreme environments such as disaster zones, mountainous terrain, and heavy-duty logistics. The four-wheeled-foot design combines the stability and speed of wheeled locomotion with the terrain adaptability of legged systems.^[8]

PhyArc Joint Modules (Standalone)

In addition to its complete robot platforms, PHYBOT sells PhyArc cycloidal joint modules as standalone components for third-party developers and researchers. These modules are marketed for use in humanoid robots, quadruped robots, robotic arms, exoskeletons, and other intelligent hardware systems. By offering its core actuator technology as a separate product line, PHYBOT creates an additional revenue stream and broadens the installed base for its technology.^[10][11]

How does PHYBOT compare to other humanoid robot companies?

PHYBOT operates in the rapidly expanding global humanoid robotics market, competing with both established players and well-funded startups. The company differentiates itself primarily through its cycloidal drive actuator technology, high torque output, and aggressive pricing strategy.

Competitive Positioning

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Strengths and Challenges

PHYBOT's primary competitive advantages include:

• Raw power output: The M1's 530 Nm peak joint torque and 200 Nm/kg torque density place it at or near the top of electric humanoid robots in terms of physical power, enabling capabilities like the backflip that most competitors have not demonstrated with electric actuation.
• Actuator technology: The PhyArc cycloidal drive system provides a distinct technological foundation that differs from the harmonic drives used by the majority of competitors, offering advantages in shock resistance and durability for physically demanding applications.
• Aggressive pricing: The M1's sub-$42,000 target price significantly undercuts many competitors. For reference, Unitree's H1 is priced around $90,000, and Figure AI's robots are estimated at approximately $100,000.
• Full-stack vertical integration: By developing hardware and software in-house with over 85% R&D staff, PHYBOT retains control over its entire technology stack, avoiding dependency on third-party suppliers for critical components.
• Product breadth: With four distinct platforms (M1, C1, C2, D1) spanning industrial, service, and mobility segments, PHYBOT offers a wider product portfolio than many single-product competitors.

The company faces several challenges common to new entrants in the humanoid robotics market:

• Scale disadvantage: Competitors like AgiBot (5,168 units shipped in 2025), Unitree (approximately 5,500 units shipped in 2025), and UBTECH (approximately 1,000 units shipped) have established production and deployment track records that PHYBOT has yet to match.^[18][19]
• Unproven cycloidal drives at scale: While the PhyArc actuators demonstrate impressive specifications in laboratory and demonstration settings, they have not yet been validated through large-scale long-term deployment, where harmonic drives have decades of proven reliability.
• Limited real-world deployment data: Unlike Figure AI, which completed an 11-month pilot at a BMW factory, PHYBOT's products were still in pilot verification phases with industry clients as of early 2026.
• Crowded market: The humanoid robotics sector in China alone includes dozens of companies competing for investment, talent, and deployment contracts, creating intense competition for market share.^[18]

Why does PHYBOT matter in China's robot industry?

China's Humanoid Robot Ecosystem

PHYBOT is part of a rapidly expanding Chinese humanoid robotics ecosystem that has attracted significant government support and venture capital. The Chinese government has identified humanoid robots as a strategic technology and included them in national development plans, driving substantial investment into the sector. In 2025, Chinese companies accounted for nearly 90% of global humanoid robot shipments by volume, with firms like AgiBot, Unitree Robotics, and UBTECH Robotics leading in production and delivery.^[18][19]

PHYBOT's September 2024 founding and rapid development timeline (moving from incorporation to functioning prototype with backflip capability in roughly one year) reflects the intense pace of development in China's humanoid robotics industry. The company's founders' backgrounds at UBTECH Robotics and Fourier Intelligence illustrate the talent circulation within this ecosystem, as experienced engineers leave established firms to launch startups with differentiated technical approaches.^[2][5]

Tsinghua University Connection

PHYBOT is one of many robotics and AI companies with roots in Tsinghua University, one of China's leading research universities. The broader Tsinghua alumni network has produced founders and senior engineers across numerous robotics and AI startups, and several Tsinghua-affiliated investment funds (including the Tsinghua Alumni Seed Fund) have participated in PHYBOT's funding rounds. PHYBOT draws research talent from Tsinghua and other top institutions including Beihang University, the Southern University of Science and Technology, UCLA, and UCSD. This academic-industry connection provides PHYBOT with access to research talent, technical collaboration opportunities, and a network of potential investors and partners.^[2][3][9]

Zhipu AI Ecosystem

PHYBOT's angel round was co-led by the Z Fund, the ecosystem investment fund associated with Zhipu AI, one of China's leading large language model companies. This investment reflects a growing trend of AI software companies investing in robotics hardware startups to create integrated AI-robotics ecosystems. The connection to Zhipu AI's ecosystem could provide PHYBOT with access to advanced AI models and capabilities for integration into its robot platforms.^[9]

Market Outlook

Globally, the humanoid robot market was projected to grow from approximately $2.92 billion in 2025 to $15.26 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 39.2%. In the first half of 2025 alone, $3.1 billion was invested across 61 venture deals in the humanoid robotics sector worldwide, exceeding the $2.9 billion invested in the entire period from 2010 to 2024. This rapid growth in investment and market size provides a favorable backdrop for PHYBOT's commercialization efforts.^[20][21]

Timeline

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See Also

• PHYBOT M1
• PHYBOT C1
• Humanoid robot
• Humanoid robots
• Embodied AI
• Cycloidal drive
• Harmonic drive
• UBTECH Robotics
• Fourier Intelligence
• Unitree Robotics
• AgiBot
• Tesla Optimus
• Boston Dynamics
• Figure AI
• Tsinghua University
• Reinforcement learning

References

1. "PHYBOT M1 is a full-size electric humanoid robot." Humanoid.guide. Accessed April 2026. https://humanoid.guide/product/phybot-m1/ ↩
2. "PHYBOT M1 Humanoid AI Robot's Powerful Backflip." Mike Kalil. Accessed April 2026. https://mikekalil.com/blog/phybot-m1-humanoid-robot/ ↩
3. "Seeds: PHYBOT Completes Billion-Level Angel++ Round Financing." Gasgoo Auto News, January 21, 2026. https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/news/seeds-phybot-completes-billion-level-angel-round-financing-2013821494943911937 ↩
4. "PHYBOT M1: The 'World's Most Powerful Humanoid Robot' Redefines Agility and Industrial Strength." CTO Robotics Media. Accessed April 2026. https://ctorobotics.com/phybot-m1-the-worlds-most-powerful-humanoid-robot-redefines-agility-and-industrial-strength/ ↩
5. "Phybot M1 Debuts with a Backflip and a 'Most Powerful' Claim." Humanoids Daily. Accessed April 2026. https://www.humanoidsdaily.com/feed/phybot-m1-debuts-with-a-backflip-and-a-most-powerful-claim ↩
6. "'World's most powerful humanoid robot' aces backflip like parkour pro." Interesting Engineering. Accessed April 2026. https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/humanoid-robot-backflip-superman-landing ↩
7. "动易科技'双核驱动'战略落地，广州智造中心正式投产." NetEase, February 2026. https://www.163.com/dy/article/KL3V2UA30519SQR4.html ↩
8. "加速推进'Robot for AI'战略落地，动易科技完成亿元级天使++轮融资." NE时代 (NE-Time), January 2026. https://ne-time.cn/web/article/37687 ↩
9. "动易科技天使轮累计融资额超亿元，将发布首款全尺寸双足人形机器人原型机." 钛媒体 (TMTPost) via Sina Finance, April 17, 2025. https://finance.sina.com.cn/cj/2025-04-17/doc-inetmqpy6142609.shtml ↩
10. "Robot for AI, 动易科技携两款人形机器人及摆线关节模组系列产品亮相 WAIC 2025." IT之家 (IT Home), July 2025. https://www.ithome.com/0/871/494.htm ↩
11. "全栈自研硬件，动易科技携摆线关节模组及两款人形机器人亮相2025世界机器人大会." 量子位 (Qbit AI), August 2025. https://www.qbitai.com/2025/08/321340.html ↩
12. "动易科技联合创始人：广州是实现'Robot for AI'愿景的重要一站." Guangzhou Municipal Government Portal. Accessed April 2026. https://www.gz.gov.cn/zt/d11jzggzgjtznh/jbyhs/content/post_10318707.html ↩
13. "Strength in Motion: Phybot's Cycloidal Technology Sets a New Standard." LiddleBit. Accessed April 2026. https://liddlebit.co.uk/strength-in-motion-phybots-cycloidal-technology-sets-a-new-standard/ ↩
14. "Harmonic vs. Cycloidal Drive: Choosing the Best Actuator." Laifual Drive. Accessed April 2026. https://www.laifualdrive.com/blog/harmonic-vs-cycloidal-drive-comparison/ ↩
15. "PHYBOT M1, a full-scale heavy-duty electric humanoid robot, has successfully performed a human-like backflip." OpenPR. Accessed April 2026. https://www.openpr.com/news/4306161/phybot-m1-a-full-scale-heavy-duty-electric-humanoid-robot-has ↩
16. "PHYBOT C1: A New Embodied AI Partner Arrives." HouseBots. Accessed April 2026. https://news.housebots.com/news/phybot-c1-a-new-embodied-ai-partner-arrives ↩
17. "C1 Humanoid Robot by PHYBOT." Humanoid.guide. Accessed April 2026. https://humanoid.guide/product/phybot-c1/ ↩
18. "Why China's humanoid robot industry is winning the early market." TechCrunch, February 28, 2026. https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/28/why-chinas-humanoid-robot-industry-is-winning-the-early-market/ ↩
19. "China is winning the humanoid robot race while Tesla's Optimus lags." Rest of World, 2026. https://restofworld.org/2026/china-humanoid-robots-unitree-agibot-tesla-optimus/ ↩
20. "Humanoid Robot Market Report 2025-2030." MarketsandMarkets. Accessed April 2026. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/humanoid-robot-market-99567653.html ↩
21. "Humanoid Funding Rounds in 2025." Humanoid Robotics Technology. Accessed April 2026. https://humanoidroboticstechnology.com/articles/humanoid-funding-rounds-in-2025/ ↩