Shanghai-based Keenon Robotics is taking a measured approach to deploying humanoid robots in the real world, focusing first on simple, repetitive tasks rather than aiming for an all-purpose machine. The company, backed by major investors including the SoftBank Vision Fund, believes that the path to versatile humanoids will be gradual and grounded in practical use cases.
Founded in 2010, Keenon has grown to become the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial service robots. According to data from research firm IDC, Keenon held nearly 23% of the global service robot shipment market last year. The firm reports having sold over 100,000 units worldwide, with a projected 50% increase in sales for the current year.
Keenon’s existing fleet is renowned for its exceptional performance in areas such as item delivery, cleaning, and disinfection. However, the company is now turning its attention to humanoid robots, with two bipedal models introduced earlier this year. These robots made their public debut at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, offering visitors popcorn and cocktails.
Keenon founder and Chief Executive Li Tong explained that the goal is not to create a general-purpose humanoid robot just yet. “The deployment of humanoid robots will evolve gradually, from single tasks to multiple tasks, from limited versatility to broader capabilities,” he said.
Real-world testing and focused deployment
Keenon is currently conducting proof-of-concept trials with clients in various industries, including hospitality and logistics. These tests aim to identify specific, simple tasks where humanoid robots can be effective. This mirrors Tesla’s recent use of its Optimus robot to serve popcorn at a Supercharger station in Los Angeles—a deployment Keenon sees as an inspiring example.
One major challenge for humanoid development is the lack of comprehensive physical-world data, which is essential for robot training. Keenon’s practical, step-by-step deployment strategy helps address this by generating real-world usage data as robots are gradually integrated into everyday settings.
At its Shanghai headquarters, the company showcases a wide range of robot models in a purpose-built showroom. These include restaurant delivery bots with tray attachments, hospital robots for disinfection and transporting medical waste, and units specialised in sweeping and navigating across tight or uneven spaces. Robots are regularly tested and fine-tuned for real-world conditions.
Li acknowledged that current service robots still lack sophisticated intelligence. However, advancements in large language models—the kind of artificial intelligence used in modern chatbots—are creating new opportunities. “With artificial intelligence, robots now have something like a brain,” Li noted.
In 2023, Keenon launched a new robotics initiative, committing fully to humanoid development by 2024. The firm introduced its first wheeled humanoid robot in March of this year.
Market trends and long-term vision
The field of humanoid robotics—often referred to as embodied intelligence—is gaining traction globally, and China is no exception. Unitree Robotics, for example, gained viral attention with dancing humanoids on national television and appearances at sports events and tech expos.
Chinese government policies and private investments are further fuelling the sector’s expansion. A recent report by UBS projected that the global humanoid robot population could surpass 300 million by 2050, with annual demand potentially reaching 86 million units. The market’s value could fall between US$1.4 trillion and US$1.7 trillion. However, analysts urged caution regarding short-term expectations.
Li said much of the excitement in the industry is to be expected given the speed of innovation. He believes China holds strategic advantages thanks to its dense engineering talent pool and advanced manufacturing capacity.
Keenon’s competitive edge lies in its accumulated environmental data, electromechanical expertise, and streamlined production processes. The company has raised seven funding rounds, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Key investors include Ele.me (Alibaba’s food delivery platform), Source Code Capital, Yunqi Partners, and the Shanghai government-backed Sci-Tech Innovation Fund.
The company also confirmed it is exploring options for a potential public listing.
Compared with some rivals aiming for futuristic ambitions, Keenon is focused on practical solutions that serve current market needs. Its pricing model is closely tied to local labour costs, making its robots financially viable for clients, particularly in high-wage or ageing markets. Many clients lease robots through what Li calls “labour contracts,” with monthly costs often less than half the price of employing human workers.
“In a way, we are a labour outsourcing company,” Li said, summing up Keenon’s realistic and commercially grounded philosophy.
