BYD reveals design for first humanoid robot

Chinese automaker BYD has revealed the design for its first self-developed humanoid robot through a patent published by the China National Intellectual Property Administration. The patent describes an ‘Embodied AI Robot’ designed to walk, maintain balance, and interact with its environment, targeting applications in industrial, service, and educational sectors.

The design features a black-and-white, human-like form with a rounded head lacking a display and multiple articulated joints in the torso, arms, and legs. While the patent details resemble the previously teased ‘Xiao Di’ prototype—which reportedly stands 1.61 meters tall, weighs 58.5 kilograms, and possesses 31 degrees of freedom—BYD has not officially confirmed if this patent represents the final production model.

This development is part of BYD’s broader strategic push into embodied AI, a field integrating artificial intelligence with physical hardware. The company has been researching this technology since 2022 and has previously invested in robotics firms such as Agibot and Percibot. Future applications for these robots may include deployment within BYD’s own factories and automotive dealerships to assist with tasks such as greeting customers or demonstrating vehicle features.