Chinese humanoid robotics company founded in 2023 by Debo Hu in Shanghai's Pudong district.
Kepler Exploration Robot Co. is a Shanghai-based humanoid robotics company developing industrial-grade bipedal robots for manufacturing, logistics, and commercial automation. Founded in 2023, the company focuses on delivering cost-effective humanoid robots that combine advanced mechanical design with scalable production for real-world industrial deployment. Its flagship Forerunner K2 is built on a hybrid actuator architecture that integrates planetary roller-screw linear actuators with rotary actuators, balancing precision, efficiency, and dynamic performance. By targeting a selling price below $30,000, Kepler aims to accelerate the commercial adoption of humanoid robots across factories and other industrial environments.
Platform maturity, autonomy stack, and flagship-system specifications in one view.
A concise view of platform maturity and deployment footprint.
Capabilities and model layers highlighted by the company.
Published operating specifications for the lead system.
In April 2025, the K2 began commercial deployment at the SAIC-GM automotive plant in Shanghai. By September 2025, Kepler announced mass production. The company holds framework agreements for several thousand units worth hundreds of millions of yuan.
Track Kepler Robotics's valuation over time.
Kepler was founded in 2023 in Shanghai's Pudong district by Debo Hu, inspired by Tesla's Optimus humanoid. The company was built on three years of prior research and four product iterations before its public debut.
Just four months after founding, Kepler unveiled the Forerunner K1 in November 2023. The company debuted internationally at CES 2024, where the K1 attracted significant attention. The Forerunner lineup includes three models: K1, S1, and D1.
The second-generation K2, nicknamed "Bumblebee," debuted in October 2024 with a hybrid actuator architecture achieving 81.3% energy efficiency, approximately 8 hours of battery life, 30 kg dual-arm payload, and a unit price of RMB 248,000 (~$34,000). Over 80% of core hardware is developed in-house.
In April 2025, the K2 began commercial deployment at the SAIC-GM automotive plant in Shanghai. By September 2025, Kepler announced mass production. The company holds framework agreements for several thousand units worth hundreds of millions of yuan.
