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Robbyant (officially Ant Lingbo Technology) is a Chinese [[humanoid robot]]ics company and subsidiary of [[Ant Group]], the financial technology affiliate of [[Alibaba Group]]. Founded in late 2024 in [[Shanghai]], Robbyant develops wheeled humanoid robots for service and commercial applications. The company's flagship product is the [[Robbyant R1]], a dual-armed humanoid designed for hospitality, museum guidance, and remote-controlled operations.
Ant Lingbo Technology was established in Shanghai at the end of 2024 as Ant Group's dedicated robotics division. The company formally launched operations in the Pudong District of Shanghai in March 2025, followed by the establishment of a subsidiary in [[Hangzhou]] in August 2025.[1]
The [[Robbyant R1]] was publicly unveiled in September 2025 at two major events: IFA 2025 in [[Berlin]], Germany, and the INCLUSION Conference in Shanghai. The dual debut signaled Ant Group's intention to position the robot for both domestic Chinese and international markets.[2]
The R1 entered mass production quickly after its debut and was shipped to early customers, including the Shanghai History Museum. Rather than selling robots as standalone units, Robbyant bundled R1 robots into broader "scenario solutions" that integrated the humanoid with existing service infrastructure.[3]
By December 2025, the company was exploring partnerships in Europe, signaling plans for global expansion beyond the Chinese market.[1]
The [[Robbyant R1]] is a wheeled, dual-armed humanoid robot designed for service industry applications.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.6 to 1.75 m (adjustable) |
| Weight | 110 kg |
| Degrees of Freedom | 34 |
| Maximum Speed | Under 1.5 m/s |
| Mobility | Wheeled base |
| Arms | Dual-arm configuration |
The R1 is designed for versatile service roles, including:
Robbyant leverages Ant Group's extensive AI capabilities, including [[natural language processing]], [[computer vision]], and large language model integration. The R1's AI system enables it to understand and respond to customer requests, navigate complex indoor environments, and perform coordinated dual-arm manipulation tasks.
The robot's control system supports both autonomous operation and teleoperation, allowing human operators to guide the robot remotely for complex or novel tasks.
Robbyant's approach differs from many humanoid robot companies in that it does not sell individual robot units directly. Instead, the company provides integrated "scenario solutions" where the R1 is deployed as part of a comprehensive service package. This model reflects Ant Group's broader strategy of providing platform-based solutions rather than standalone hardware products.[3]
[[Ant Group]], controlled by [[Jack Ma]] and best known for operating [[Alipay]], entered the humanoid robotics market through Robbyant as part of a broader wave of Chinese technology giants investing in robotics. The move placed Ant Group in competition with other major Chinese tech companies and dedicated robotics firms such as [[Unitree Robotics]], [[Agibot]], and [[Figure AI]].[2]