# ROBOTIS

> Source: https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/robotis
> Updated: 2026-06-23
> Categories: Humanoid Robots, Robotics Companies
> From AI Wiki (https://aiwiki.ai), a free encyclopedia of artificial intelligence. Quote with attribution.

| ROBOTIS |
| --- |
| General information |
| **Full name** | ROBOTIS Co., Ltd. |
| **Korean name** | 로보티즈 |
| **Founded** | 1999 |
| **Founder** | Kim Byoung-Soo (김병수) |
| **Headquarters** | Seoul, South Korea |
| **Industry** | [Robotics](/wiki/robotics), Actuators, [Humanoid robots](/wiki/humanoid_robot) |
| **Key people** | Kim Byoung-Soo (CEO, 27.42% stake) |
| **Products** | DYNAMIXEL actuators, [DARwIn-OP](/wiki/darwin_op), THORMANG, [TurtleBot](/wiki/turtlebot), [AI Worker](/wiki/robotis_ai_worker), AI Sapiens (K0) |
| **Stock exchange** | [KOSDAQ](/wiki/kosdaq) (A108490, listed October 2018) |
| **Website** | [robotis.us](https://www.robotis.us/) / [robotis.com](https://en.robotis.com/) |

**ROBOTIS** (ROBOTIS Co., Ltd.) is a South Korean robotics company, founded in 1999 by Kim Byoung-Soo, that designs and manufactures the DYNAMIXEL brand of all-in-one smart servo actuators, the standard motion components used across robotics research, education, and humanoid development worldwide. ROBOTIS reports that in recent years roughly 95% of teams in the [RoboCup](/wiki/robocup) humanoid leagues have competed on platforms built around DYNAMIXEL actuators, and the company manufactures the [TurtleBot](/wiki/turtlebot) line, which ROBOTIS describes as the official reference platform for the [Robot Operating System](/wiki/robot_operating_system) (ROS).[1][2][3]

DYNAMIXEL actuators integrate a DC motor, reduction gearhead, controller, driver, and network communication into a single daisy-chainable module, a design that lets researchers assemble [humanoid robots](/wiki/humanoid_robot) and [robotics](/wiki/robotics) platforms without building motor control electronics from scratch. ROBOTIS has been producing DYNAMIXEL for more than two decades and has used that actuator base to move up the value chain into complete platforms: the open-source [DARwIn-OP](/wiki/darwin_op) and ROBOTIS OP3 research humanoids, the full-size THORMANG series, the TurtleBot3 mobile robot (co-developed with Open Robotics), the [AI Worker](/wiki/robotis_ai_worker) industrial semi-humanoid, and, in 2026, the sub-$9,000 open-source AI Sapiens (K0) humanoid aimed squarely at [Unitree Robotics](/wiki/unitree).[1][2][12]

ROBOTIS has been publicly traded on the [KOSDAQ](/wiki/kosdaq) stock exchange (ticker A108490) since October 2018, with founder and CEO Kim Byoung-Soo retaining a 27.42% stake.[8]

## History

### When was ROBOTIS founded?

ROBOTIS was founded in 1999 in South Korea by Kim Byoung-Soo, who framed the company around a single question: "What is a robot?" ROBOTIS states that this question "continues to guide our philosophy," and that the company name itself reflects the idea of "Robot Is...," an invitation to imagine what a robot can be. The early focus was on smart servo actuators that could simplify robot construction by integrating a DC motor, reduction gearhead, controller, driver, and network communication into a single modular package. This concept became the DYNAMIXEL product line, ROBOTIS' first flagship product, which would grow to define the company's identity and establish its position in the global robotics supply chain.[1][2]

In the early 2000s, ROBOTIS released the Bioloid robot kit, a modular robotics platform built around DYNAMIXEL actuators that allowed users to build a variety of robot configurations. Bioloid became popular in educational settings and hobbyist communities, introducing DYNAMIXEL technology to a broad audience and establishing ROBOTIS as a leader in educational robotics.[4]

### University collaborations and DARwIn-OP (2009 to 2012)

In 2009, ROBOTIS embarked on a significant collaboration with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Purdue University, and the University of Pennsylvania, funded by a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goal was to develop an open-source humanoid robot platform suitable for research and education. The result was the [DARwIn-OP](/wiki/darwin_op) (Dynamic Anthropomorphic Robot with Intelligence, Open Platform), unveiled in 2011.[3][5]

DARwIn-OP represented a milestone in making humanoid robots accessible for research and education. The robot stood about 45.5 cm tall, weighed roughly 2.9 kg, and featured 20 degrees of freedom, each controlled by a DYNAMIXEL MX-28T servo motor.[5]

| Specification | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| **Height** | ~45.5 cm |
| **Weight** | ~2.9 kg |
| **DOF** | 20 (6 per leg x 2, 3 per arm x 2, 2 neck) |
| **Actuators** | DYNAMIXEL MX-28T |
| **Processor** | Intel Atom |
| **Camera** | Logitech webcam |
| **OS** | Linux-based |
| **Design** | Fully open-source (hardware and software) |

DARwIn-OP's open-source design, combined with its use of off-the-shelf DYNAMIXEL actuators, made it significantly more affordable than previous research humanoid platforms and led to its widespread adoption in university robotics labs worldwide. The platform won the Kid Size League at RoboCup in 2011, 2012, and 2013, cementing its status as a standard competition humanoid.[3][5]

### THORMANG humanoid series (2015 to present)

ROBOTIS developed the THORMANG (Tactical Hazardous Operations Robot, Modular Autonomous Navigation and Gait) series as a full-size humanoid robot platform for advanced research. The latest version, THORMANG3, is an affordable full-size humanoid designed for research into locomotion, manipulation, perception, and autonomous operation.

| Specification | THORMANG3 |
| --- | --- |
| **DOF** | 29 |
| **Actuators** | 200W x 10, 100W x 11, 20W x 8 |
| **Computers** | Dual Intel NUC (Intel Core i5, 8GB DDR4, 128GB SSD each) |
| **Network** | D-Link wireless router |
| **Camera** | Logitech C920 HD |
| **Optional sensors** | Intel RealSense, Hokuyo UTM-30LX-EW [LiDAR](/wiki/lidar) |
| **Force/torque sensors** | Two ATi Mini58-SI-2800-120 |
| **IMU** | MicroStrain 3DM-GX4-25 |
| **Battery** | 22V 22000mA + 18.5V 11000mA |

THORMANG3 was designed as a full-body research platform incorporating sophisticated sensing, computing, and actuation, running on [ROS](/wiki/robot_operating_system) (Robot Operating System). Production of THORMANG3 is currently suspended, though it remains an influential platform in humanoid robotics research.[6]

### TurtleBot collaboration (2017)

In 2017, ROBOTIS announced a collaboration with the Open Source Robotics Foundation (now Open Robotics) to develop the third generation of the [TurtleBot](/wiki/turtlebot) platform, one of the most popular mobile robot platforms in the [ROS](/wiki/robot_operating_system) ecosystem. ROBOTIS describes TurtleBot3 as "a small, affordable, and customizable, ROS-based mobile robot for use in education, research, hobby projects, and product prototyping," and the standard, most popular ROS robot among developers and students worldwide. In the partnership, Open Robotics is in charge of software and community activities, while ROBOTIS is in charge of manufacturing and global distribution.[2][7]

TurtleBot3 exceeded expectations with its flexibility and upgradability. Built around two DYNAMIXEL smart servos in the wheel joints, the platform offered a modular design that could be configured for various research and educational applications, and became one of the standard platforms for learning [ROS](/wiki/robot_operating_system) and mobile robot programming in universities worldwide. ROBOTIS has continued to maintain TurtleBot3 across ROS generations, with full support for ROS 2 Humble, Jazzy, and Gazebo Sim.[7]

### KOSDAQ listing (2018)

In October 2018, ROBOTIS was listed on the [KOSDAQ](/wiki/kosdaq) market under the ticker A108490, making it a publicly traded company on South Korea's technology-focused stock exchange. CEO Kim Byoung-Soo retained a 27.42% stake in the company.[8]

### AI Worker, Physical AI, and AI Sapiens (2024 to present)

ROBOTIS expanded into industrial robotics with the [AI Worker](/wiki/robotis_ai_worker), an enterprise-class "Physical AI" semi-humanoid robot designed for real-world deployment. The AI Worker features a full-body semi-humanoid platform of roughly 19 to 25 degrees of freedom, dual 7-DOF arms powered by DYNAMIXEL actuators, dexterous grippers, and an open control stack with native [ROS 2](/wiki/robot_operating_system) support.[9]

The AI Worker's sensing and computing platform includes RGB-D cameras, [LiDAR](/wiki/lidar), force-torque sensors, and an [NVIDIA](/wiki/nvidia) Jetson AGX Orin computer for running advanced AI models at the edge. The robot learns tasks through imitation learning, where engineers demonstrate a task that is captured by algorithms, while [reinforcement learning](/wiki/reinforcement_learning) refines performance until it reaches expert level. ROBOTIS frames this as an end-to-end pipeline: dual arms and dexterous hands paired with open-source ROS 2 packages, URDF models, and training resources. Demonstrated applications include wiring-harness assembly, precision welding, and final-line visual inspection.[9]

On November 19, 2024, ROBOTIS announced a partnership with [MIT](/wiki/mit) to develop "Physical AI," which ROBOTIS describes as intelligence that closes the loop between high-level reasoning and real-world hardware dynamics. The collaboration is part of an international joint R&D project organized by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) under the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, with government support and a total project cost of up to 10 billion won. The resulting technology is to be applied to ROBOTIS' collaborative robot OpenMANIPULATOR-Y (OM-Y).[9][10]

On April 21, 2026, ROBOTIS entered the full-size humanoid market with AI Sapiens (codename K0), a 1.3 m, 34 kg open-source humanoid with 23 degrees of freedom (6 per leg, 5 per arm, and a single-axis waist). The K0 is actuated entirely by ROBOTIS' new DYNAMIXEL-Q quasi-direct-drive (QDD) modules: 14 QM-060 and 9 QM-080 units that combine a low gear-reduction ratio with a high-torque motor and integrated control electronics for high backdrivability and precise torque control. ROBOTIS releases the platform as fully open source, publishing the bill of materials, CAD files, source code, and simulation assets, and trains locomotion in [NVIDIA](/wiki/nvidia) Isaac Sim using large-scale reinforcement learning alongside an imitation-learning pipeline driven by a leader-follower teleoperation system. With an estimated price under $9,000 and commercial release scheduled for the second half of 2026, the K0 is widely seen as a direct challenge to [Unitree Robotics](/wiki/unitree)' G1.[12][13]

## Products

### What is DYNAMIXEL?

DYNAMIXEL is ROBOTIS' flagship product line: a family of all-in-one smart servo actuators that integrate a DC motor, reduction gearhead, controller, driver, and network communication into a single modular package. The name combines "DYNAMIC" with a small, modular, cell-based design. Actuators can be daisy-chained together for simplified wiring and modular robot construction.[2]

ROBOTIS has been manufacturing DYNAMIXEL actuators for over two decades, and the product line has evolved through multiple generations:

| Series | Key features | Typical applications |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **AX series** | Entry-level, TTL communication | Educational robots, hobby projects |
| **MX series** | Mid-range, contactless absolute encoder, PID control | Research humanoids (DARwIn-OP), service robots |
| **XM / XH / XW series** | High-performance, Protocol 2.0, current-based control | ROBOTIS OP3, advanced research, commercial robots |
| **PRO / PRO Plus** | High-torque, industrial-grade | THORMANG, full-size humanoids |
| **DYNAMIXEL DRIVE** | Cycloid gear modules | Custom robot designs |
| **DYNAMIXEL-Q (QDD)** | Quasi-direct-drive, high backdrivability, torque control | AI Sapiens (K0), dynamic humanoids |

In recent years, approximately 95% of teams in the [RoboCup](/wiki/robocup) humanoid leagues have used robotics platforms based on DYNAMIXEL actuators, demonstrating the product line's dominance in competitive and research robotics. One survey of the Humanoid League found that 32 of 34 teams used ROBOTIS servos.[1][3]

### Robot platforms

| Platform | Type | DOF | Key actuators | Target market |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **ROBOTIS OP (DARwIn-OP)** | Mini humanoid | 20 | DYNAMIXEL MX-28T | Research, education (original) |
| **ROBOTIS OP2** | Mini humanoid | 20 | DYNAMIXEL MX-28 | Research, education (updated) |
| **ROBOTIS OP3** | Mini humanoid | 20 | DYNAMIXEL XM-430 | Research, education (latest) |
| **THORMANG3** | Full-size humanoid | 29 | DYNAMIXEL PRO series | Advanced research (suspended) |
| **AI Sapiens (K0)** | Full-size humanoid | 23 | DYNAMIXEL-Q (QDD) | Open-source humanoid research |
| **[TurtleBot](/wiki/turtlebot) 3** | Mobile robot | N/A | DYNAMIXEL XL430 | [ROS](/wiki/robot_operating_system) education, mobile robotics |
| **[AI Worker](/wiki/robotis_ai_worker)** | Semi-humanoid industrial | 19 to 25 (dual 7-DOF arms) | DYNAMIXEL | Factory automation |
| **Bioloid** | Modular kit | Configurable | DYNAMIXEL AX series | Education, hobby |

### ROBOTIS OP3

The ROBOTIS OP3 is the latest generation of the miniature humanoid platform, succeeding the OP (DARwIn-OP) and OP2. The most significant upgrades include the replacement of MX-28 actuators with XM-430 DYNAMIXEL Protocol 2.0 servos (offering improved torque, current-based control, and additional performance improvements) and the upgrade from an Intel Atom SBC to a complete Intel NUC with an Intel i3 processor, providing significantly enhanced computing power with 64-bit OS support and Bluetooth 5. The OP3 has a default walking speed of 24.0 cm/sec (9.44 in/sec) with a user-modifiable gait of 0.25 sec per step.[11]

## Why are DYNAMIXEL actuators dominant in RoboCup?

ROBOTIS has a deep connection to [RoboCup](/wiki/robocup), the international robotics competition that pits autonomous robots against each other in soccer and other challenges. The DARwIn-OP platform has been widely adopted by RoboCup humanoid league teams, and DYNAMIXEL actuators have become the standard components for competition robots. In recent years, approximately 95% of teams in the RoboCup humanoid leagues use platforms based on DYNAMIXEL actuators, a level of standardization that lets teams focus competition on software and AI rather than hardware design.[3]

The Standard Platform League (SPL) has historically used standardized hardware platforms to focus competition on software and AI capabilities. ROBOTIS' platforms, particularly the OP series, have been instrumental in making humanoid robot soccer research accessible to university teams worldwide, lowering the barrier to entry through affordable, reliable, and well-documented hardware.[3]

## Is ROBOTIS open source?

ROBOTIS has been a consistent advocate for open-source robotics development. The DARwIn-OP platform was released with open-source hardware designs and software, allowing researchers worldwide to modify, improve, and share their work. The TurtleBot3 continues this philosophy, with all design files, firmware, and software available through GitHub repositories, and the 2026 AI Sapiens (K0) extends it to a full-size humanoid by publishing the bill of materials, CAD files, source code, and simulation assets.[12]

The company's commitment to openness extends to its documentation practices. ROBOTIS maintains extensive online manuals (e-Manual) for all its products, providing detailed technical specifications, assembly instructions, programming guides, and troubleshooting resources. This documentation ecosystem has been credited with lowering the barrier to entry for robotics research and education, particularly in developing countries where access to vendor support may be limited.[1][7]

ROBOTIS' DYNAMIXEL SDK (Software Development Kit) supports multiple programming languages including C, C++, Python, Java, MATLAB, and LabVIEW, and is compatible with major operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS. The SDK integrates natively with [ROS](/wiki/robot_operating_system) and ROS 2, the dominant middleware frameworks in robotics research.[2]

## Industry impact

ROBOTIS occupies a distinctive position in the global robotics ecosystem. Rather than competing first as a complete robot manufacturer against companies like [Boston Dynamics](/wiki/boston_dynamics) or [Unitree Robotics](/wiki/unitree), ROBOTIS established itself as a critical supplier of fundamental components (DYNAMIXEL actuators) that underpin a large portion of the academic and competitive robotics community. The company's actuators appear in robots built by hundreds of university labs, startup companies, and research institutions worldwide.

This component-supplier role has given ROBOTIS an outsized influence on the direction of robotics research. Decisions about DYNAMIXEL specifications, communication protocols, and software interfaces directly affect how thousands of researchers design and program their robots. The company's expansion into complete platforms (DARwIn-OP, THORMANG, AI Worker, and the AI Sapiens K0) and its partnership with MIT on Physical AI signal an ambition to move further up the value chain from components to complete systems, while the sub-$9,000 open-source K0 positions ROBOTIS as a direct, price-aggressive competitor in the [humanoid robot](/wiki/humanoid_robot) market.[9][12][14]

## See also

- [AI Worker](/wiki/robotis_ai_worker)
- [DARwIn-OP](/wiki/darwin_op)
- [TurtleBot](/wiki/turtlebot)
- [RoboCup](/wiki/robocup)
- [Robot Operating System](/wiki/robot_operating_system)
- [Humanoid robot](/wiki/humanoid_robot)
- [Unitree Robotics](/wiki/unitree)

## References

1. [ROBOTIS official website - About Us](https://en.robotis.com/model/page.php?co_id=introduce)
2. [DYNAMIXEL - All-in-one Smart Actuator](https://www.dynamixel.com/)
3. [Who is ROBOTIS? - HITEC](https://www.hitec.org/news/4118417/details)
4. [Robotis Bioloid - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robotis_Bioloid)
5. [DARwIn-OP - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARwIn-OP)
6. [THORMANG3 - ROBOTIS e-Manual](https://emanual.robotis.com/docs/en/platform/thormang3/introduction/)
7. [TurtleBot3 Overview - ROBOTIS e-Manual](https://emanual.robotis.com/docs/en/platform/turtlebot3/overview/)
8. [ROBOTIS (KOSDAQ:A108490) - Simply Wall St](https://simplywall.st/stocks/kr/tech/kosdaq-a108490/robotis-shares)
9. [Introduction to ROBOTIS AI WORKER - ROBOTIS Forum](https://forum.robotis.com/t/introduction-to-robotis-ai-worker/7804/1)
10. [ROBOTIS Partners with MIT to Develop Advanced 'Physical AI' Technology - ROBOTIS](https://www.robotis.us/robotis-ir-pr-blog/robotis-partners-with-mit-to-develop-advanced-physical-ai-technology/)
11. [ROBOTIS OP3 - e-Manual](https://emanual.robotis.com/docs/en/platform/op3/introduction/)
12. [ROBOTIS Enters the Open-Source Humanoid Arena with AI Sapiens K0 Platform - Humanoids Daily](https://www.humanoidsdaily.com/news/robotis-enters-the-open-source-humanoid-arena-with-ai-sapiens-k0-platform)
13. [K0 - AI Sapiens - ROBOTIS](https://ai.robotis.com/ai_sapiens/introduction_ai_sapiens.html)
14. [Kim Byeong-su, CEO of ROBOTIS: Decline in the working population, autonomous robot market will grow - ROBOTIS Blog](https://robotis.us/robotis-blog/kim-byeongsu-ceo-of-robotis-decline-in-the-working-population-autonomous-robot-market-will-grow/)