Phybot
Phybot is a Beijing humanoid robot company, formally Beijing Phybot Technology, founded in September 2024 by Tsinghua University mechanical engineering roommates Ren Xiaoyu, its chief executive, and Mao Shuhan. It makes two humanoids. The Phybot M1 is a full-size humanoid 172 cm tall and under 60 kg, with 32 degrees of freedom, peak joint torque of 530 N·m and burst power above 10 kW, made of titanium and aluminium and running on NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and an Intel Core i7. It went viral in late 2025 after performing a standing backflip with a precision landing in its launch video. The Phybot C1 is a compact 128 cm, 28 kg companion humanoid for social interaction and light assistance indoors. Phybot markets its designs as AI-native, built around its own PhyArc cycloidal drives that can handle shock loads up to five times overload capacity. The research-grade M1 was priced at under US$42,000.
💡Notable Achievement: Phybot, founded in September 2024 by Tsinghua roommates Ren Xiaoyu and Mao Shuhan, launched the M1 in November 2025 with a video of a standing backflip.
What Does Phybot Do?
Phybot is a Beijing company founded in 2024 that makes the full-size M1 and the compact C1 humanoids around its own cycloidal drives.
“High-torque humanoids from Tsinghua roommates.”
M1
172 cm, under 60 kg, 32 degrees of freedom and 530 N·m peak torque.
PhyArc Drives
Cycloidal actuators handling shock loads up to five times overload.
C1
A 128 cm, 28 kg companion humanoid.
What Can Phybot Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Dynamic motion research and companion robots.
Dynamic Motion
M1 performs a standing backflip.
Companionship
C1 is for social interaction and light assistance.
Phybot Robots
Showing 2 Humanoid Robots of 2 total models
Phybot M1
By: Phybot
Launched: 2024
The Phybot M1 is a full-scale electric humanoid robot renowned for its exceptional power-to-weight ratio and dynamic agility, capable of executing human-like backflips and precise landings. Standing at 172 cm and weighing under 60 kg, it features high-torque joints up to 530 Nm and over 10 kW peak power, enabling superhuman strength for lifting 20 kg per arm and carrying 50 kg via backpack. Equipped with 32 degrees of freedom, Nvidia Jetson Orin and Intel Core i7 processors, 3D LiDAR, stereo cameras, and IMU, it excels in real-time perception, balance, and navigation across challenging terrains. Designed for industrial tasks like manufacturing and logistics, its proprietary control system supports end-to-end AI for self-correction, reinforcement learning, and robust bipedal locomotion at speeds over 2 m/s, redefining electric humanoid capabilities beyond hydraulic competitors.
Phybot C1
By: Phybot
Launched: 2024
The Phybot C1 is an agile, embodied AI companion designed for interactive roles in homes, research labs, and hotels. Standing 128 cm tall and weighing 28–30 kg, it utilizes a "quasi-direct-drive" system with cycloidal-reduction actuators to achieve high torque density and stable locomotion. While the larger M1 model focuses on "superhuman" strength, the C1 specializes in sub-second autonomous reactions, recently demonstrated by its ability to play high-speed badminton fully autonomously without teleoperation. It features an HD visual projection module, advanced multimodal sensing for context awareness, and a skin-friendly exterior. Its balanced architecture makes it a premier developer platform for reinforcement learning and human-robot interaction
Phybot Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Phybot founded in Beijing
Tsinghua roommates Ren Xiaoyu and Mao Shuhan found Beijing Phybot Technology to build humanoid robots.
Source: mikekalil.com
Phybot M1 launched with standing backflip
Phybot launches the M1, a 172 cm humanoid with 32 degrees of freedom, in a video showing a standing backflip and precision landing.
Source: mikekalil.com
Phybot Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Phybot Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Strong hardware performance.
- ✓Research price under US$42,000.
Core Strategic Focus
Selling M1 to research customers.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Funding not disclosed.
- •Young company.
Phybot vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Height & Weight
- PHYBOT M1
- 172 cm / <60 kg
- MagicLab MagicBot
- 175 cm / 65 kg
- Unitree H1
- 180 cm / 47 kg
- Electric Atlas
- 150 cm / 89 kg
Acrobatic Capability
- PHYBOT M1
- Full Dynamic Backflip
- MagicLab MagicBot
- Backflip & Someraults
- Unitree H1
- Dynamic Running / Flip
- Electric Atlas
- Full 360-Degree Rotation
Actuator Architecture
- PHYBOT M1
- PhyArc Cycloidal QDD
- MagicLab MagicBot
- Custom Planetary QDD
- Unitree H1
- M107 High-Torque
- Electric Atlas
- Custom Electro-Mechanical
Sports Interaction
- PHYBOT M1
- Autonomous Badminton
- MagicLab MagicBot
- General Demonstration
- Unitree H1
- Running & Walking
- Electric Atlas
- Industrial Part Handling
| Strategic Dimension | PHYBOT M1 | MagicLab MagicBot | Unitree H1 | Electric Atlas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height & Weight | 172 cm / <60 kg | 175 cm / 65 kg | 180 cm / 47 kg | 150 cm / 89 kg |
| Acrobatic Capability | Full Dynamic Backflip | Backflip & Someraults | Dynamic Running / Flip | Full 360-Degree Rotation |
| Actuator Architecture | PhyArc Cycloidal QDD | Custom Planetary QDD | M107 High-Torque | Custom Electro-Mechanical |
| Sports Interaction | Autonomous Badminton | General Demonstration | Running & Walking | Industrial Part Handling |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Phybot Headquarters
HQHaidian District, Beijing, China
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about Phybot
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Phybot
What is Phybot?
Phybot is a Beijing humanoid robot company, founded in September 2024 by Tsinghua University alumni, that makes the full-size Phybot M1 and the compact Phybot C1.
Who founded Phybot?
Phybot was founded in September 2024 by Ren Xiaoyu, its chief executive, and Mao Shuhan, who were roommates in Tsinghua University's mechanical engineering programme.
What is the Phybot M1?
The Phybot M1 is a full-size humanoid, 172 cm tall and under 60 kg, with 32 degrees of freedom and 530 N·m peak joint torque. It became known for a standing backflip demonstration.
How much does the Phybot M1 cost?
The Phybot M1 has been listed at under US$42,000 for research-grade buyers, according to coverage of its launch in November 2025.
What is the Phybot M1 built from?
The M1 uses a titanium and aluminium structure, dual swappable 9 Ah batteries for over two hours of runtime, NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX plus Intel Core i7 computing, 3D lidar and stereo cameras.
What is the Phybot C1?
The Phybot C1 is a compact companion humanoid, 128 cm tall and 28 kg, designed for social interaction, companionship and light-duty assistance in indoor environments.
What are PhyArc drives?
PhyArc drives are Phybot's proprietary cycloidal actuators, designed to handle shock loads up to five times their rated capacity, which suits dynamic moves such as backflips.
Where is Phybot based?
Phybot is based in Beijing, China, and operates as Beijing Phybot Technology Co., Ltd., with a team that grew out of Tsinghua University.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Phybot datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.