At the European Robotics Forum 2026 in Stavanger, Norway, Chinese robotics company HighTorque Robotics presented its compact, fully open-source humanoid robot alongside a considered strategy for where the company is positioning itself in a rapidly developing market.
HighTorque Robotics, based in Guangzhou, China, develops complete mechatronic solutions for humanoid systems, designing and manufacturing all actuators in-house. Their presence at ERF included a range of hardware: actuators of various sizes, robotic arms, and their humanoid platform.
Small by Design
In a market where many humanoid robots are built for industrial scale, HighTorque has taken a different approach. “Small robots are safer at the current stage,” said Wen Shi, representing the company at ERF. The humanoid is desktop-sized, allowing researchers to work with it without the safety constraints that larger platforms typically require.
The choice of form factor is also strategic. HighTorque has its sights on the consumer market, and the company’s position is that earning a place there requires demonstrating safety and reliability first — something easier to achieve at a smaller scale.
Open Source at Its Core
A central feature of the HighTorque humanoid is its fully open, whole-stack, open-source architecture. Research institutions can adapt the platform for their own work and build secondary development on top of it. The company has established partnerships with MDH, Qinghai University, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, and is actively expanding that network.
While research and education represent the company’s current primary market, HighTorque is already planning its next moves. Robotic arms and humanoids are being developed with future production environments in mind — handling tasks that are repetitive, precise, or potentially hazardous.
Film and entertainment is another area the company is exploring. Wen Shi noted that the humanoid’s design resonates particularly well with younger audiences, which the company sees as a pathway into the broader consumer market.
Building Ecosystem Connections
For HighTorque, ERF 2026 served a dual purpose: presenting their technology and understanding where the company stands within the wider robotics landscape. Discussions at the event ranged from research applications with university representatives to potential collaborations with other robotics companies — those working on humanoids, robotic arms, and wheeled platforms alike. “We need to know where we are in this industry, and we need to know where we are heading to,” Wen Shi said — a reflection of a company that sees events like ERF as essential not just for visibility, but for orientation.
HighTorque Robotics was among the exhibitors at the European Robotics Forum 2026, held in Stavanger, Norway. Rocking Robots reports as official media partner of this event
