A Chinese AI research firm has just unveiled KAI, a full-sized faceless humanoid robot that boasts 115 degrees of freedom (DoF) and tactile skin equipped with 18,000 sensors for homes and services.

Developed by Shenzhen-based Kinetix AI, the humanoid robot stands about five feet, eight inches (173 centimeters) tall and weighs around 154 lbs (70 kilograms). It features 115 degrees of freedom (DoF), including 72 DoF in its hands. This is far more than most humanoids today.

It can reportedly move at a top speed of about 3.1 miles per hour (five kilometers per hour) and offers a range of motion that more closely mirrors human flexibility. Each of its dexterous hands has 36 degrees of freedom and enables more precise movements.

KAI can handle loads of up to 44 lbs (20 kilograms) and can also operate for four hours per charge. The humanoid is expected to cost less than USD 40,000. Mass production planned for later 2026.

Designed for service

With 36 degrees of freedom in each hand, the system combines 22 active joints for precise control with a total of 14 passive joints that act as mechanical buffers. The passive joints allow the hands to adapt to objects and absorb impacts without requiring immediate computational input.

This makes the humanoid robot precise and safer to use in unpredictable real-world environments. KAI is also covered in a synthetic tactile skin embedded with 18,000 sensing points. These are able to detect forces as light as 0.1 newtons (N).

This enables haptic-aware manipulation, which allows the robot to adjust its grip and contact behavior based on real-time feedback. In simple terms, it could mean handling fragile objects or safely interacting with humans.

Additionally, the humanoid is powered by a 1.7-kilowatt-hour (kWh) semi-solid-state battery. It is reportedly aimed at improving safety by reducing the risks of thermal runaway compared to traditional lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells.

Engineering the future

According to Kinetix AI, KAI’s intelligence is based on a so-called ‘World Model’ system. This means that it is trained on real-world data and can embody virtual, interactive, and 3D environments. The model divides decision-making into three layers, including base, action, and evaluation.

In practice, this means that before executing movements, the humanoid predicts potential environmental changes and evaluates possible outcomes, as part of a simulation-first approach that is becoming central to physical AI development.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiAzxHYqBmo

To train the humanoid, the company developed a wearable device known as KAI Halo. Through it, human operators generate training data during everyday tasks. It captures first-person video, body movement, and spatial data to help the robot build natural and diverse datasets.

Kinetix AI representatives stressed that KAI is designed for use in retail, concierge services, and home assistance, rather than heavy industry. It is capable of carrying out a range of everyday manipulation tasks, including sorting goods, assembling products, filling and emptying a dishwasher, folding clothes, and even threading a needle.

The system supports connectivity via Ethernet and Wi-Fi and includes integration with large language models. It is powered by electric servo motors and built using a combination of aluminum alloy and composite materials. The firm is aiming for mass production by late 2026.