Chinese humanoid robotics startup Agibot has unveiled Q1, an AI-powered personal companion small enough to fit in a backpack.
At just 80 cm (31 inches) tall and approximately one-eighth the weight of a full-size humanoid, Q1 features full-body force control and impact-resistant semi-direct drive joints.
The compact design makes experiments safer, faster, and more affordable, bridging the gap between laboratory prototypes and personal devices. According to Agibot, Q1 will redefine humanoid accessibility and provide researchers, creators, and enthusiasts with a capable platform for everyday interaction and innovation.
Last week, AgiBot launched Qingtian Rent, a platform that rents humanoid robots and provides versatile robot assistance for 16 events such as weddings, concerts, business meetings, and trade fairs.
Humanoids become portable
Agibot announced Q1, a compact AI-powered humanoid designed to bring personal robots into everyday life.
At just 0.8 meters tall and small enough to fit in a backpack, Q1 redefines what a capable humanoid looks like, bridging the gap between lab-only prototypes and personal devices. Housebots reports that the robot's small size (about one-eighth the volume and weight of a full-sized humanoid) makes it more resistant to collisions, making experiments safer and more cost-effective for iteration.
Agibot redesigned the quasi-direct drive joint, which is smaller than an egg, to maintain precise force control and fast dynamic response, allowing Q1 to move purposefully. Full-body force control allows developers to physically test their algorithms, reducing development cycles from months to days.
Built as an open platform, Q1 provides accessible SDK and HDK tools, an open source external shell for 3D printing, and zero-code motion programming. Users can customize the robot's appearance, program its behavior, and explore embodied AI without requiring advanced robotics expertise. Out-of-the-box features include voice interaction, English tutoring, guided dance coaching, onboard positioning, and reporting. Mike Khalil.
Positioned as both a “graduation” robot for labs and the first personal humanoid for creators, Q1 embodies Agibot's vision of a portable, customizable, and interactive platform, turning humanoid robotics into a personal lab that you can carry in your backpack.
humanoid reaches mass
In December, AgiBot announced that it had built its 5,000th robot. This is a major milestone for one of China's fastest-growing humanoid robot startups.
Founded in February 2023, the company has achieved this milestone in less than three years, demonstrating rapid progress in the expanding robotics sector in the country. AgiBot's mass production strategy spans three different product lines, each targeting a different commercial environment, demonstrating the startup's versatility and commitment to meeting diverse customer needs.
The G-series is factory-ready, while the X-series and A-series enable dynamic mobility. The company's agile bipedal line, the Lingxi X-series, produced 1,846 units, including the X2 model, which recently attracted attention by performing a Webster flip that showcases advanced motion control.
The Expedition A series has 1,742 vehicles and features life-sized humanoids that can perform a wider range of tasks, including autonomously walking 106 miles from Suzhou to Shanghai. The Genie G series consists of 1,412 units with task-focused, often wheeled designs optimized for industrial and logistics applications requiring high efficiency. AgiBot's robots operate in eight areas, including manufacturing, logistics, reception, and performance.
The 5,000-unit milestone also positions the company ahead of domestic rivals like UBTech, which aims to hit 5,000 units by 2026, highlighting AgiBot's fast pace and balanced focus on AI development and hardware execution.
