Kepler Robotics Unveils K2 “Bumblebee” at IROS 2025

The 2025 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2025), one of many world’s main robotics occasions, was held in Hangzhou from October 19 to 25, 2025. The convention drew greater than 7,000 main specialists, researchers, and trade professionals from around the globe. 

Shanghai Kepler Robot Co., Ltd. (“Kepler Robotics”) launched its humanoid robotic K2 “Bumblebee” at the occasion, showcasing the corporate’s newest advances in humanoid robotics expertise and open developer ecosystem initiatives. The presentation highlighted the rising world presence of Chinese humanoid robotics. 

Demonstrating Technological Capabilities of Chinese Humanoid Robotics on the World Stage

IROS ranks among the many largest and most influential tutorial conferences in robotics worldwide, with this 12 months’s occasion being the most important so far. Under the theme “Human-Robotics Frontier,” IROS 2025 introduced collectively main robotics corporations from around the globe for a wide-ranging exhibition of rising applied sciences and next-generation merchandise.

At the Kepler Robotics’s sales space, the K2 “Bumblebee” walked with fluid, humanlike movement. When participating with guests, it responded naturally with gestures equivalent to thumbs-up and wave. During the convention’s robotic parade, the K2 “Bumblebee” carried out with poise whereas strolling and finishing its routine. Its superior mobility, exact manipulation, and pure interplay drew constant reward from attendees.

The spectacular efficiency of the K2 “Bumblebee” stems partly from its hybrid actuation system, which integrates curler screw linear actuators. The Kepler Robotics engineering crew developed a customized structure that mixes curler screw linear and rotary actuators, enabling a pure straight-knee strolling gait. Its proprietary planetary curler screw actuator delivers excessive torque density, precision management, and sustained sturdiness. Working in tandem with rotary motors, it drives joint motion whereas sustaining movement accuracy. 

In addition, the K2 “Bumblebee” efficiently addresses the Sim-to-Real switch problem. Using reinforcement studying and GPU-accelerated physics simulation, 1000’s of robotic fashions with various parameters might be skilled concurrently throughout various eventualities to systematically refine locomotion management. Through imitation studying, a high-fidelity physics simulator permits the robotic to copy human strolling behaviors with outstanding effectivity, condensing years of coaching information into hours. Reward-driven algorithms information the robotic to imitate human movement whereas optimizing for pace, power effectivity, and steadiness. On website, Kepler Robotics showcased its Isaac Gym platform for large-scale parallel coaching and reinforcement studying, alongside the MuJoCo platform for physics-based simulation and suggestions.

Kepler Robotics Launches One-Stop Developer Platform to Accelerate the Humanoid Ecosystem

As humanoid robots emerge as a key space for technological innovation, trade dialogue more and more facilities on construct and develop a sustainable ecosystem. Kepler Robotics emphasizes that progress within the discipline depends upon open collaboration and information trade with the worldwide developer group. 

At the convention, Kepler Robotics launched its developer platform, that includes instruments for customized software improvement, together with robotic arm management interfaces, motor APIs, and modules for imaginative and prescient, navigation, and voice. The platform is designed to assist builders worldwide by way of 4 key parts: Full-Stack Openness, an Integrated Perception-Decision-Control Toolbox, High-Fidelity Simulation & Digital Twin, and Modular Scene-Building Capability.

As a part of its full-stack openness strategy, Kepler Robotics has opened entry to the core of its microkernel-based Nebula OS to builders and standardized software program and {hardware} interfaces.

For system integration, the platform features a built-in multimodal interplay engine that mixes visible, auditory, and tactile information, giving builders out-of-the-box capabilities for notion and response.

In ultra-realistic simulation and digital twin purposes, the Kepler Robotics Developer Platform delivers a physics-accurate digital testing surroundings that allows “zero-risk” prototyping and “zero-cost” iteration. Code validated in simulation might be deployed to bodily robots with one click on, accelerating the trail from idea to deployment. 

For scene composition, inside Kepler Studio, builders can assemble movement primitives utilizing graphical drag-and-drop instruments and pure language enter, enabling fast creation of advanced process sequences and simplifying robotic programming. A devoted ability market with shared sources may also be obtainable to builders in future updates. 

The Kepler Developer Platform immediately addresses key developer concerns equivalent to accessibility, safety, and value. It supplies a full-spectrum toolchain—from intuitive visible interfaces to code-level management— to assist builders at each ability stage. Multi-layered safety frameworks assist guarantee secure and dependable operation all through improvement and deployment. By combining environment friendly simulation with modular design, the platform reduces put on on {hardware} and shortens debugging cycles, permitting builders to focus extra on innovation and real-world software. 

To additional drive ecosystem improvement, Kepler Robotics launched the Lighthouse Program, partnering with main builders and trade collaborators to co-create options and speed up commercialization. The initiative supplies technical sources, market channels, and funding alternatives to assist carry breakthrough ideas to market.

The IROS 2025 convention has drawn world robotics consideration to China. Through its participation, Kepler Robotics gained contemporary technical insights into potential industrial purposes. More importantly, by bridging academia and trade, the corporate renewed its name for world builders to affix its open ecosystem, reaffirming its dedication to driving innovation in humanoid robotics and increasing its real-world adoption. 

The submit Kepler Robotics Unveils K2 “Bumblebee” at IROS 2025 first appeared on AI-Tech Park.