Stardust Intelligence
Stardust Intelligence (星尘智能) is a Shenzhen embodied AI company, founded in December 2022 by chief executive Lai Jie, who brings more than 17 years of AI and robotics experience and previously led Tencent's Robotics Laboratory and Baidu's Xiaodu Robot team. It makes the Astribot robots, humanoids that use rope-driven, tendon-like mechanisms for safe and flexible movement, following a Design for AI philosophy that combines AI models, an embodied operating system and the robot body. The Astribot S1, first shown in 2024, costs nearly US$100,000, while the T1, a lower-priced model, starts at 89,900 yuan, about US$13,000, and performs tasks such as frying steaks, laundry and storage, bartending and chemical experiments. In 2026 Stardust completed over 1 billion yuan in Series B financing across three rounds in three months, reaching a valuation above 10 billion yuan, and secured orders for thousands of industrial units and a 100 million yuan cultural tourism partnership.
💡Notable Achievement: Stardust completed over 1 billion yuan of Series B financing in three rounds in 2026, valuing it above 10 billion yuan, and launched the Astribot T1 from 89,900 yuan.
What Does Stardust Intelligence Do?
Stardust Intelligence is a Shenzhen embodied AI company founded in 2022 by Lai Jie that builds the rope-driven Astribot robots.
“Rope-driven humanoids designed around AI.”
Rope-Driven Bodies
Tendon-like ropes give safe, flexible motion.
Design for AI
Models, embodied OS and body developed together.
Commercial Traction
Orders for thousands of industrial units and a 100 million yuan tourism partnership.
What Can Stardust Intelligence Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Household and commercial task execution.
Cooking Tasks
T1 fries steaks and prepares food.
Bartending & Lab Work
Performs bartending and chemical experiments.
Stardust Intelligence Robots
Showing 2 Humanoid Robots of 2 total models
Astribot T1
By: Stardust Intelligence
Launched: 2026
Astribot T1 is Stardust Intelligence's compact wheeled humanoid, opened for orders in late May 2026 at a starting price of about ¥89,900 (roughly US$13,000), with shipping from June 1, 2026. Cable-driven arms give it smooth, human-like dexterity, and swappable end effectors let one platform handle cooking, bartending, lab work, laundry, parts sorting and EV charging. It is aimed at making dexterous humanoid help affordable for real-world deployment in homes, labs and light industry.
Astribot S1
By: Stardust Intelligence
Launched: 2024
The Astribot S1 is a groundbreaking humanoid robot engineered by Stardust Intelligence to emulate human dexterity and intelligence. With a top speed of 10 m/s and 7 degrees of freedom per arm, it performs tasks ranging from cooking and cleaning to playing musical instruments and practicing martial arts. Its advanced AI enables imitation learning, allowing it to adapt to new tasks and environments. Designed for versatility, the S1 is poised to revolutionize industries such as home assistance, manufacturing, and research, offering a glimpse into the future of human-robot collaboration.
Stardust Intelligence Software & AI Ecosystem
Developer platforms, fleet management portals, autonomy intelligence, and enterprise integrations
Astribot Embodied OS
Operating System for Robots
Stardust's embodied operating system that runs its AI models on rope-driven bodies.
Stardust Intelligence Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Stardust Intelligence founded in Shenzhen
Lai Jie, formerly of Tencent Robotics Laboratory and Baidu's Xiaodu Robot team, founds Stardust Intelligence, maker of Astribot.
Source: app.dealroom.co
Astribot T1 launched from 89,900 yuan
Astribot launches the T1 model, priced from 89,900 yuan, about US$13,000, for tasks such as laundry, cooking and bartending.
Source: interestingengineering.com
Series B of over 1 billion yuan
Stardust Intelligence completes over 1 billion yuan of Series B financing across three rounds in three months, at a valuation above 10 billion yuan.
Source: eu.36kr.com
Stardust Intelligence Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Stardust Intelligence Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Experienced founder from Tencent and Baidu.
- ✓Strong Series B funding.
Core Strategic Focus
Scaling T1 sales and industrial orders.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •S1 costs nearly US$100,000.
- •Rope-driven design is uncommon and must prove durability.
Stardust Intelligence vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Max Arm Velocity
- Astribot (Astribot S1)
- Not published
- Sanctuary AI (Phoenix Gen 7)
- ~1.5 m/s (Human Speed)
- Figure AI (Figure 02)
- ~1.2 m/s (Industrial Speed)
- 1X Technologies (NEO)
- ~1.0 m/s (Safe Domestic Speed)
Drive Mechanism
- Astribot (Astribot S1)
- Ultra-Low Inertia Cable Drives
- Sanctuary AI (Phoenix Gen 7)
- Micro-Hydraulic Manifolds
- Figure AI (Figure 02)
- High-Torque Electric Actuators
- 1X Technologies (NEO)
- Low-Gear Direct-Drive Motors
Demonstrated Skills
- Astribot (Astribot S1)
- Tablecloth Trick, Ironing, Cooking
- Sanctuary AI (Phoenix Gen 7)
- Retail Tagging, Box Taping
- Figure AI (Figure 02)
- Sheet Metal Bolt Placement
- 1X Technologies (NEO)
- Laundry Folding, Tidying
Primary Domain
- Astribot (Astribot S1)
- Domestic Chores & Fast Assembly
- Sanctuary AI (Phoenix Gen 7)
- Automotive & Retail Logistics
- Figure AI (Figure 02)
- Automotive Plant Manufacturing
- 1X Technologies (NEO)
- Domestic Household Living
| Strategic Dimension | Astribot (Astribot S1) | Sanctuary AI (Phoenix Gen 7) | Figure AI (Figure 02) | 1X Technologies (NEO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Arm Velocity | Not published | ~1.5 m/s (Human Speed) | ~1.2 m/s (Industrial Speed) | ~1.0 m/s (Safe Domestic Speed) |
| Drive Mechanism | Ultra-Low Inertia Cable Drives | Micro-Hydraulic Manifolds | High-Torque Electric Actuators | Low-Gear Direct-Drive Motors |
| Demonstrated Skills | Tablecloth Trick, Ironing, Cooking | Retail Tagging, Box Taping | Sheet Metal Bolt Placement | Laundry Folding, Tidying |
| Primary Domain | Domestic Chores & Fast Assembly | Automotive & Retail Logistics | Automotive Plant Manufacturing | Domestic Household Living |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Stardust Intelligence Headquarters
HQShenzhen, China
Articles & Industry News
Showing 1 recent article and news updates about Stardust Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Stardust Intelligence
What is Stardust Intelligence?
Stardust Intelligence is a Shenzhen embodied AI company, founded in December 2022, that makes the Astribot rope-driven humanoid robots, including the S1 and the T1.
Who founded Stardust Intelligence?
Stardust Intelligence was founded by Lai Jie, its chief executive, who previously led Tencent's Robotics Laboratory and managed Baidu's Xiaodu Robot team.
What is the Astribot S1?
The Astribot S1 is Stardust's rope-driven humanoid assistant, first shown in 2024, which costs nearly US$100,000 and performs household and demonstration tasks.
How much does the Astribot T1 cost?
The Astribot T1 starts at 89,900 yuan, about US$13,000, making it a lower-priced model than the S1 for tasks such as cooking, laundry and bartending.
What are rope-driven robots?
Astribot robots use tendon-like ropes to move joints, giving rigid-flexible coupling that Stardust says is safer and more efficient than rigid gear-driven arms.
How much has Stardust Intelligence raised?
Stardust completed over 1 billion yuan in Series B financing across three rounds in three months in 2026, and is valued at more than 10 billion yuan.
Who buys Astribot robots?
Stardust says it has secured orders for thousands of industrial units and set up a 100 million yuan innovation partnership for cultural tourism and hospitality.
Where is Stardust Intelligence based?
Stardust Intelligence is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, and describes its approach as Design for AI, combining models, an embodied OS and its rope-driven bodies.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Stardust Intelligence datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.