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| JAKA K1 | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Manufacturer | JAKA Robotics |
| Country of origin | China |
| Year unveiled | 2024 |
| Status | Prototype / Early production |
| Price | Not publicly disclosed |
| Availability | Limited deployment (300+ units across K-series family as of 2024) |
| Website | jaka.com |
The JAKA K1 (also written as JAKA K-1) is a humanoid robot developed by JAKA Robotics, a Chinese collaborative robot (cobot) manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai. The K1 debuted as a non-functional prototype at the 24th China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in Shanghai in September 2024, marking JAKA Robotics' first entry into the humanoid robotics sector [1][2]. Standing 1.8 meters tall, the K1 features 29 movable joints (excluding dexterous hands) and a pair of 7-axis anthropomorphic arms with 14 combined degrees of freedom, giving it an unusually high range of flexibility and dexterity for bi-manual manipulation tasks.
The K1 represents JAKA Robotics' strategic expansion from its established cobot business into embodied intelligence, leveraging the company's decade of experience in force control, precision actuation, and collaborative safety systems. Unlike many humanoid platforms that prioritize bipedal locomotion, the initial K1 design focused on upper-body dexterity and manipulation, with the company subsequently developing legged (K1L) and wheeled (K1W) variants to address different mobility requirements [3]. By the end of 2024, JAKA reported that over 300 units of its K-series embodied intelligence products had been delivered in small batches across research, education, and manufacturing applications [3].
JAKA Robotics (formally Shanghai JAKA Robotics Co., Ltd.) was founded in 2014 by Li Mingyang as a high-tech enterprise focused on the development and manufacture of collaborative robots and intelligent production lines [4][5]. The company name is an acronym for "Just Always Keep Amazing." While officially established in 2014, JAKA traces its technological lineage to research dating back to 1979, reflecting decades of accumulated expertise in robotics and automation [5].
The company is headquartered in Shanghai's Minhang District, with a major production base in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. JAKA has expanded its footprint to include additional offices and R&D centers in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Tianjin, and several international locations, including Nuremberg (Germany), Nagoya (Japan), Delaware (United States), Penang (Malaysia), and Singapore [6]. As of 2024, JAKA operates four branches, two R&D centers, and three divisions, with over 10,000 collaborative robots deployed worldwide across more than 100 countries, serving over 2,000 customers [5][7].
JAKA's product portfolio is built around four main collaborative robot families:
| Product series | Payload range | Key features | Year introduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zu Series (Zu 3, 5, 7, 12, 18) | 3 to 18 kg | Core cobot line; 6 axes; reach 626 to 1,327 mm; repeatability +/-0.02 to +/-0.03 mm; wireless control; collision detection | 2014 (original) |
| Zu S Series | 3 to 18 kg | Zu variants with integrated force-torque sensors throughout the arm | Various |
| Ai Series (Ai 3, 5, 7, 12, 18) | 3 to 18 kg | Integrated machine vision cameras; "Smart, Simple, Small" (S3) design; visual programming; optional mini-cabinet | September 2020 |
| Pro Series | Various | IP68-rated for harsh environments; operates in -10 to 50 degrees Celsius; repeatability up to +/-0.02 mm; speeds of 3 to 3.9 m/s | 2022 |
| MiniCobo | 0.5 kg | Ultra-compact cobot for education, catering, and service applications; minimal energy consumption | Summer 2021 |
| JAKA MAX 40 | 40 kg | Heavy-payload industrial cobot; 1.8 m working radius; +/-0.05 mm positioning accuracy | September 2024 |
The Zu series forms the backbone of JAKA's business, with five models differentiated by payload capacity. All JAKA cobots feature six-axis articulation, an open hardware and software architecture, and code-free programming via the JAKA APP on tablets and smartphones [8]. The company holds 208 core technology patents and 64 invention patents, and has developed nine core technologies and six core algorithms that underpin its product line [5][7].
JAKA's cobot technology is certified to ISO 10218-1 and ISO 13849-1 safety standards, and its products are deployed across the automotive, electronics, semiconductor, food and beverage, and medical device industries [7]. Major clients include Toyota, Schneider Electric, Flex, and Luxshare [9].
JAKA Robotics has raised approximately $224 million in total funding over five rounds from ten investors [10]. The most significant round was a Series D of over $150 million in July 2022, led by Temasek, TrueLight Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and Prosperity7 Ventures (the venture arm of Aramco Ventures) [4][10]. Earlier rounds included Series C and C+ financing totaling $50 million in 2021 [5].
The company commands approximately 22% of China's domestic cobot market by units sold, making it the largest Chinese cobot manufacturer and second only to Universal Robots globally in the collaborative robot category [9]. In 2024, JAKA reported revenue of nearly 400 million yuan (approximately $55 million), representing a 14% year-over-year increase, though net profit was marginal at just over 6 million yuan due to heavy investments in R&D and sales [9].
JAKA has been preparing for an initial public offering on Shanghai's Sci-Tech Innovation Board (STAR Market), with a target fundraising of 670 to 700 million yuan [9]. However, the company's IPO review meeting was canceled on August 7, 2025, creating uncertainty around its public listing timeline [9].
The K1's development coincides with a broader push by the Chinese government to accelerate humanoid robot development. In November 2023, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published guidelines calling for humanoid robots to "realize mass production by 2025" and for the country to establish two to three world-leading companies in the sector [11]. By 2025, over 140 domestic manufacturers had launched more than 330 humanoid robot models, and in February 2026, China released national standards for humanoid robots and embodied AI covering technical specifications, data management, safety protocols, and compliance requirements [12].
JAKA's entry into humanoid robotics reflects a wider trend among established Chinese cobot manufacturers moving into the humanoid space. The company's existing expertise in joint actuation, force sensing, and collaborative safety provided a natural foundation for developing humanoid manipulation systems.
The JAKA K1 takes a manipulation-first approach to humanoid robotics. Rather than building a full bipedal platform from scratch, JAKA leveraged its core competency in collaborative robot arms to create a humanoid system with exceptional upper-body dexterity. The initial K1 prototype showcased at CIIF 2024 did not include legs, instead focusing entirely on bi-manual manipulation capabilities [2][13]. This design choice reflects JAKA's background: the company's decade of experience building precision cobots translates directly to the K1's high-performance dual-arm system.
The K1 integrates what JAKA describes as a complete "hand, eye, brain, and foot" system, combining hardware, software, and artificial intelligence algorithms into a unified architecture [1]. Onboard AI processors run sensor fusion, force control, and real-time decision-making, while machine learning algorithms enable the robot to adapt to its environment over time.
The K1's dual-arm system is its defining feature. Each arm employs a 7-axis anthropomorphic configuration, providing 14 combined degrees of freedom across both arms [1][2]. This 7-DOF-per-arm design exceeds the 6-DOF standard of most industrial and collaborative robot arms, granting the K1 redundant kinematics that allow it to reach the same end-effector position through multiple joint configurations. This redundancy is particularly valuable for working in cluttered environments or performing tasks that require the arm to navigate around obstacles.
The arms feature higher rigidity than standard cobots, with a single-arm payload capacity of 3 kg or more [1]. Absolute motion accuracy reaches +/-0.1 mm, a level of precision that positions the K1 for tasks such as electronics assembly, precision inspection, and delicate material handling [1].
A six-dimensional force control system is central to the K1's manipulation capabilities. Force-torque sensors embedded in the arms detect forces across six axes (three translational and three rotational), enabling the robot to sense pressure from multiple directions and react in real time to avoid applying excessive force [2][13]. The force sensors provide a resolution of 0.1 N with a minimum force control precision of 1 N, using admittance control algorithms to achieve compliant, human-like interaction with objects and surfaces [1].
This force control capability is critical for tasks involving delicate or fragile components, where rigid position control alone could cause damage. It also enables the K1 to perform contact-rich tasks such as polishing, insertion, and surface tracing, where the robot must maintain consistent contact force while following complex trajectories.
The K1's sensor suite includes depth cameras for three-dimensional spatial awareness and touch sensors on the manipulators for fine-grained contact feedback [2][13]. The wheeled K1W variant features three AI vision cameras, combining visual perception with the force sensing system for multi-modal environmental understanding [3].
The perception system supports object recognition, task interpretation, and safe human-robot interaction. The robot can recognize objects in its workspace, interpret task requirements based on visual input, and dynamically adjust its behavior to maintain safety when operating near human workers.
The K1 platform uses EtherCAT industrial communication with a 1 ms communication cycle, providing high-speed, deterministic data exchange between the central controller and joint actuators [1]. This fast communication loop is essential for achieving the precise, responsive force control that distinguishes the K1 from less tightly integrated systems.
The control architecture includes a high-performance RoboHub controller capable of supporting up to 64 axes, providing ample headroom for controlling the K1's 29 joints plus any additional end effectors or peripheral devices [1]. The system supports a "one controller, two arms" configuration, allowing unified motion planning and coordination across both manipulators.
| Category | Specification | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | Height | 1,800 mm (1.8 m) |
| Physical | Weight | 40 kg |
| Mobility | Total movable joints | 29 (excluding dexterous hands) |
| Mobility | DOF per arm | 7 (7-axis anthropomorphic) |
| Mobility | Total arm DOF | 14 |
| Manipulation | Single-arm payload | 3 kg or more |
| Precision | Absolute motion accuracy | +/-0.1 mm |
| Precision | Repeat positioning (wheeled variant) | +/-0.05 mm |
| Force sensing | Sensor type | Six-dimensional force-torque |
| Force sensing | Force resolution | 0.1 N |
| Force sensing | Minimum force control precision | 1 N |
| Force sensing | Control algorithm | Admittance control |
| Communication | Protocol | EtherCAT |
| Communication | Cycle time | 1 ms |
| Controller | Type | RoboHub high-performance controller |
| Controller | Maximum supported axes | 64 |
| Sensors | Vision | Depth cameras; 3 AI vision cameras (K1W) |
| Sensors | Touch | Tactile sensors on manipulators |
| Software | Control type | Closed-source |
| Software | AI capabilities | Sensor fusion, force control, real-time decision-making, machine learning adaptation |
Following the K1's debut in September 2024, JAKA expanded the platform into a family of embodied intelligence products with three distinct mobility configurations [3].
The original K1 is a stationary or semi-mobile dual-arm humanoid focused on upper-body manipulation. With its 29 joints, 7-DOF arms, and six-dimensional force control, it serves as the core manipulation platform in the K-series family. Its primary applications include precision assembly, quality inspection, and research into bi-manual coordination and dexterous manipulation.
The K1L variant adds a legged lower body designed for all-terrain adaptive operation in unstructured industrial environments. The K1L employs a high-dynamic leg chassis with a waist pitch mechanism that replicates the structure of human leg joints, enabling leg-foot coordination, omnidirectional movement, and adaptation to complex terrain [3]. This variant targets applications in environments where wheeled mobility is impractical, such as construction sites, warehouses with uneven flooring, or outdoor inspection scenarios.
The K1W mounts the K1's dual-arm system on an omnidirectional wheeled mobile base with a waist lift and pitch mechanism, achieving 21 total degrees of freedom [3]. The wheeled base provides fast, stable mobility on flat surfaces, while the waist mechanism extends the vertical workspace. The K1W features three AI vision cameras for environmental perception, dual-arm embedded six-dimensional force control, and achieves a repeat positioning accuracy of +/-0.05 mm [3]. With its 1 ms communication frequency and high precision, the K1W is designed for fast-cycle industrial operations requiring both mobility and accurate manipulation.
| Feature | JAKA K1 | JAKA K1L | JAKA K1W |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobility type | Stationary / fixed base | Bipedal (legged) | Omnidirectional wheeled |
| Total DOF | 29 | Not disclosed | 21 |
| Arm configuration | 7-DOF per arm (14 total) | 7-DOF per arm (14 total) | 7-DOF per arm (14 total) |
| Terrain adaptability | None | High (complex terrain) | Flat surfaces |
| Speed | N/A | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Vision system | Depth cameras | Not disclosed | 3 AI vision cameras |
| Target environment | Fixed workstations | Unstructured environments | Industrial floors |
The K-series is part of JAKA's broader embodied intelligence product family, which also includes two additional products [3]:
The JAKA Lumi is an embodied intelligence platform that integrates a 12-degree-of-freedom collaborative motion system, an intelligent lifting module, and multi-modal sensors. Designed for rapid deployment (the company claims setup takes approximately five minutes), the Lumi was launched at a price of 79,800 yuan (approximately $11,000) and is positioned as a bridge between laboratory research and practical application [3]. The platform features a pure vision system using visual perception cameras combined with neural network learning for four-dimensional spatiotemporal perception.
The S3 integrates a mobile chassis, a collaborative robot arm, and a vision system with environmental perception, localization and navigation, mobile manipulation, and human-robot collaboration capabilities [3]. In semiconductor applications, the S3 achieves positioning accuracy of +/-0.5 mm with dual-laser, dual-vision obstacle avoidance. Maximum operational speed reaches 1.5 m/s while maintaining 0.3g vibration levels suitable for wafer box transfers. The S3 can independently complete processes including pallet positioning, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and precise palletizing in complex, crowded environments without requiring fixed positions between workpieces and the robot.
The K1's combination of high precision (+/-0.1 mm), force sensitivity (0.1 N resolution), and 7-DOF dexterous arms makes it well suited for electronics assembly tasks. These include the precise placement of small components, connector insertion, cable routing, and inspection of assembled circuit boards. The force control system prevents damage to delicate components by automatically limiting applied force during contact operations.
JAKA targets the K1 for flexible manufacturing environments where tasks change frequently and require human-like adaptability. The robot's AI-driven control and learning capabilities allow it to be retrained for new tasks without extensive reprogramming, reducing changeover time in mixed-production settings. JAKA has begun scene testing and verification of embodied intelligence applications with automotive industry supply chain enterprises, exploring process integration, scene adaptation, and long-term application capabilities in real production scenarios [3].
The K1's precision and force control capabilities have been cited as applicable to healthcare settings, including surgical assistance and medical device handling [2][13]. The six-dimensional force sensing system, which prevents the application of excessive force in real time, is particularly relevant for tasks involving patient interaction or the manipulation of sterile instruments. However, no specific healthcare deployments have been publicly announced as of early 2026.
The K-series products have been deployed in research and educational settings, with applications spanning data collection, model training, and robotic manipulation research [3]. The platform's high-precision arms and advanced force control provide a capable testbed for studying bi-manual coordination, contact-rich manipulation, and human-robot collaboration.
The JAKA K1 operates at the intersection of two competitive landscapes: the Chinese collaborative robot market and the emerging global humanoid robot market.
China's cobot sector has grown rapidly but is characterized by intense price competition, with average selling prices declining year over year [9]. Major domestic competitors include AUBO Robotics, Elephant Robotics, Han's Robot, Rokae, and Siasun. International players such as Universal Robots (Denmark), Doosan Robotics (South Korea), and Techman Robot (Taiwan) also compete in the Chinese market. JAKA's 22% domestic market share places it as the leading Chinese cobot brand, though margins remain thin across the industry [9].
The humanoid robot sector in China has seen explosive growth since the MIIT's November 2023 guidelines. Prominent Chinese humanoid manufacturers include UBTECH Robotics (Walker series), Unitree Robotics (H1 and G1), Fourier Intelligence (GR-1 and GR-2), Agibot (formerly Zhiyuan Robotics), LimX Dynamics, and Deep Robotics, among dozens of others. UBTECH leads in commercial deployments, with its Walker S1 adopted by major manufacturers including BYD, Geely, and Foxconn, and the company securing orders exceeding 500 units from automotive manufacturers by early 2025 [14].
The K1 differentiates itself through its manipulation-first philosophy. While most humanoid platforms emphasize full-body bipedal locomotion, the K1 prioritizes arm dexterity and precision, reflecting JAKA's cobot heritage. This approach may prove advantageous in applications where manipulation quality matters more than walking capability, such as precision assembly, inspection, and laboratory automation.
Globally, major humanoid programs include Tesla Optimus, Boston Dynamics Atlas, Figure AI (Figure 02 and Figure 03), Agility Robotics (Digit), Apptronik (Apollo), and Sanctuary AI (Phoenix). Most of these platforms are not yet commercially available to external buyers. The K1's focus on industrial manipulation rather than general-purpose humanoid capability places it in a somewhat different competitive category, closer to advanced dual-arm industrial robots than to full-featured humanoid platforms.
| Feature | JAKA K1 | UBTECH Walker S1 | Unitree G1 | Fourier GR-2 | Agibot A2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 180 cm | 170 cm | 132 cm | 175 cm | 170 cm |
| Weight | 40 kg | 60 kg | 35 kg | 63 kg | 65 kg |
| DOF (total) | 29 | 41 | 23 to 43 | 53 | 42 |
| DOF per arm | 7 | 7 | 5 to 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Locomotion | Fixed / legged / wheeled variants | Bipedal | Bipedal | Bipedal | Bipedal |
| Arm payload | 3 kg per arm | 3 kg per arm | 2 to 3 kg | 3 kg per arm | 5 kg per arm |
| Key strength | Manipulation precision, force control | Commercial deployment scale | Affordability, developer ecosystem | Dexterity, rehabilitation background | Payload, industrial focus |
| Status | Early production | Commercial production | Commercial production | Commercial production | Production |
The JAKA K1 has several notable limitations based on publicly available information: