Robbyant, a subsidiary of Ant Group and specializing in ‘embodied AI’, presented its first humanoid robot, the Robbyant R1, at the IFA trade fair in Berlin. Developed as an AI-powered multi-purpose robot, the R1 was designed for use in the hospitality sector, as a tour guide, and in healthcare, with its initial commercial deployment focused on catering.
In industrial kitchens and catering operations, R1 carried out complex, multi-step cooking processes that typically required repetitive and manual labor. According to the company, the robot handled a wide variety of cooking techniques and cuisines with consistency and speed.
The R1 operated on a high-performance embodied AI model, enabling it to manage continuous task sequences. Upon receiving an order, it independently organized each step, including ingredient handling, operation of kitchen appliances, and food preparation. The system also allowed R1 to learn new recipes over time and adapt to various kitchen equipment, such as woks, stoves, and coffee machines from different manufacturers.
To navigate the demands of professional cooking environments, R1 was equipped with an AI-driven spatial perception system. This system recognized spatial relationships between objects such as tables, cookware, and appliances, enabling the robot to execute tasks precisely. Businesses were able to adapt the robot’s standard configuration to suit their specific kitchen layouts and workflows.
Robbyant positioned R1 as part of a broader strategy to bring embodied AI into real-world applications. “The emergence of embodied intelligence opened up considerable potential for AI technologies in everyday life,” said Zheng Yuewen, Country Manager for the DACH region at Robbyant. He stated that humanoid robots like R1 could relieve humans from repetitive tasks and help address workforce shortages.
The company also indicated plans to expand embodied AI into the consumer market. Future developments were expected to include robotic companions and care assistants designed to support daily life, particularly in underserved or labor-intensive areas such as eldercare, medical assistance, and domestic work. Ant Group was foundend by Alibaba-CEO Jack Ma.
