Kinetix AI launches KAI humanoid
Kinetix AI has unveiled KAI, a full-size humanoid built around high dexterity, tactile sensing and human-scale service tasks.
Humanoids · Product Launch · China Robotics · Dexterous Manipulation · Embodied AI
Kinetix AI launches KAI humanoid
Kinetix AI, a Shenzhen-based robotics startup also operating as Kai Robotics, has unveiled KAI, a full-size humanoid robot designed for service and home assistance applications.
KAI is positioned around high physical dexterity and close human interaction. The robot is reported to have 115 degrees of freedom, including dexterous hands with 36 degrees of freedom each, along with full-body tactile skin using 18,000 sensing points.
The technical pitch is unusually focused on contact. KAI’s tactile skin is designed to detect light touch and support safer interaction in human environments, while the hand design gives the platform a stronger manipulation story than humanoids built mainly around walking, lifting or industrial transport. Reported specifications also include a 1.7 kWh semi-solid-state battery and a load capacity near 20 kg.
The launch places Kinetix AI in the service-oriented branch of the humanoid market rather than the factory-first lane occupied by many current Chinese and U.S. humanoid companies. The company is targeting a sub-$40,000 price point and mass production in late 2026, though those targets should still be treated as launch-stage claims until production and customer evidence appear.
The company’s background is also part of the signal. Reports describe Kinetix AI’s team as including veterans from the original R&D group behind XPENG’s Iron humanoid, giving the company a technical link to one of China’s more visible humanoid programs.