Kuafu, the bipedal robot that can jump and walk, is making waves in the industrial world. Announced by Leju Robotics in 2023, Kuafu boasts a 20 cm jumping ability and a walking speed of 4.6 km/h. It recently grabbed headlines at the Huawei HDC 2024 conference and is now being trialed in Nio’s factories for potential car assembly tasks.

Kuafu’s secret sauce lies in its reliance on open-source HarmonyOS and Huawei’s PanGu AI model. This AI model acts as the robot’s brain, interpreting commands, answering questions, and utilizing sensor data to navigate its surroundings. PanGu also plans the robot’s movements and coordinates tasks between its arms.

While Kuafu showcased its domestic skills like cooking assistance and laundry duty at the Huawei conference, its current mission is far more industrial. If successful, Kuafu could become a key player in streamlining Nio’s car assembly lines.

This news comes after Ubtech’s announcement in February 2024, where their Walker S robot began working on Nio’s assembly line, performing quality checks for door locks and seat belts. The introduction of Kuafu suggests an ongoing trend of automation within Nio’s production facilities.