Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center
The Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center is a Ningbo company, established on 21 December 2023 in Haishu District as a joint effort between the Ningbo government and the robotics laboratory of Professor Xiong Rong of Zhejiang University, working with industry partners. It builds the Navigator NAVAI family of humanoids. The NAVAI-I2 is described as China's first full-size, full-degree-of-freedom bipedal robot, the NAVAI-WA1 is a wheeled-arm robot capable of 0.03 mm operations, and the NAVAI-I3 is designed for walking across varied terrain. Its NAVAI Navigator 2 humanoid is 1.65 m tall and about 60 kg with 41 degrees of freedom and 275 TOPS of AI computing, and can give speeches, make tea and play chess; it won the grand prize in the semi-finals of the third National AI Application Scenario Innovation Challenge on 5 January 2026. On 24 January 2026 it announced a 450 million yuan pre-A round, bringing total funding to 2.2 billion yuan in 18 months, and reports assembly success above 99.99 percent on industrial lines for clients such as Huawei.
💡Notable Achievement: The center announced a 450 million yuan pre-A round on 24 January 2026, bringing total funding to 2.2 billion yuan in 18 months.
What Does Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Do?
The Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center is a Ningbo company, set up in December 2023 with Zhejiang University's Professor Xiong Rong, that builds the NAVAI humanoids.
“A Ningbo humanoid maker with precise industrial assembly.”
NAVAI Family
I2 biped, WA1 wheeled arm and I3 terrain walker.
Navigator 2
1.65 m, 60 kg, 41 DoF and 275 TOPS.
Industrial Use
Assembly success above 99.99 percent for clients such as Huawei.
What Can Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Precise assembly and humanoid tasks.
Precise Assembly
WA1 can do 0.03 mm operations.
Service Tasks
Navigator 2 makes tea and plays chess.
Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Robots
Showing 1 Humanoid Robots of 1 total model
NAVAI Navigator 2
Manufactured by Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center
The NAVAI Navigator 2 is a next-generation humanoid robot developed by the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center for interactive and service-oriented tasks. Standing 1.65 meters tall with 41 degrees of freedom, it delivers smooth, human-like motion and precise manipulation. Powered by 275 TOPS of AI computing, it supports semantic navigation, real-time environment processing, and adaptive learning. Its multimodal perception system includes surround-view cameras, depth sensors, force-torque sensing, and touch feedback. Navigator 2 walks stably up to 6 km/h, operates for two hours continuously, and serves applications in healthcare, education, exhibitions, and customer service.
Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center established
Ningbo's government and Professor Xiong Rong's Zhejiang University lab establish the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Haishu District.
Source: rockingrobots.com
NAVAI Navigator 2 wins national AI challenge grand prize
The NAVAI Navigator 2 project wins the grand prize in the semi-finals of the third National AI Application Scenario Innovation Challenge.
Source: rockingrobots.com
450 million yuan pre-A round
The center announces a 450 million yuan pre-A round, bringing total funding to 2.2 billion yuan in 18 months.
Source: autonews.gasgoo.com
Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
Beijing Humanoid Innovation Center
Industry PeerModel: Tiangong
Focus: High-speed running and athletic bipedal locomotion
UBTECH Robotics
→Model: Walker S1
Focus: Automotive factory deployment
Leju Robotics
→Model: Kuavo
Focus: OpenHarmony bipedal humanoid platforms
What Makes Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Strong funding.
- ✓University research base.
Core Strategic Focus
Expanding industrial deployments.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Prices not published.
- •Competes with many Chinese makers.
Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Physical Stature
- Navigator 2 (Zhejiang Center)
- 165 cm / 60 kg
- Tiangong (Beijing Center)
- 163–173 cm / 55–73 kg
- Kuavo (Leju)
- 168 cm / 55 kg
- Walker S1 (UBTECH)
- 172 cm / 68 kg
Repeatable Precision
- Navigator 2 (Zhejiang Center)
- 0.1 mm (Industrial Grade)
- Tiangong (Beijing Center)
- ~1.0 mm
- Kuavo (Leju)
- ~0.5 mm
- Walker S1 (UBTECH)
- ~0.5 mm
Max Walking Speed
- Navigator 2 (Zhejiang Center)
- 1.5 m/s (90 m/min)
- Tiangong (Beijing Center)
- 2.5–3.0 m/s (Sprint)
- Kuavo (Leju)
- 1.5 m/s
- Walker S1 (UBTECH)
- 1.8 m/s
Dexterous Hand Design
- Navigator 2 (Zhejiang Center)
- 15-joint 6-DoF 600g Tactile Hand
- Tiangong (Beijing Center)
- Modular 6–12 DoF Hand
- Kuavo (Leju)
- 11–15 DoF OpenHarmony Hand
- Walker S1 (UBTECH)
- Multi-DoF Compliant Hand
| Strategic Dimension | Navigator 2 (Zhejiang Center) | Tiangong (Beijing Center) | Kuavo (Leju) | Walker S1 (UBTECH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Stature | 165 cm / 60 kg | 163–173 cm / 55–73 kg | 168 cm / 55 kg | 172 cm / 68 kg |
| Repeatable Precision | 0.1 mm (Industrial Grade) | ~1.0 mm | ~0.5 mm | ~0.5 mm |
| Max Walking Speed | 1.5 m/s (90 m/min) | 2.5–3.0 m/s (Sprint) | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 m/s |
| Dexterous Hand Design | 15-joint 6-DoF 600g Tactile Hand | Modular 6–12 DoF Hand | 11–15 DoF OpenHarmony Hand | Multi-DoF Compliant Hand |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Zhejiang University
Professor Xiong Rong's lab co-founded the center.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Professor Xiong Rong's lab co-founded the center.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center Headquarters
HQNingbo, Zhejiang, China
Articles & Industry News
Showing 1 recent article and news updates about Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center
Robot Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center
What is the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center?
It is a Ningbo humanoid robot company, established in December 2023 by the Ningbo government and Zhejiang University's Professor Xiong Rong, that builds the Navigator NAVAI humanoids.
Who leads the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center?
The center was founded by a team led by Zhejiang University Professor Xiong Rong, together with industry partners, in Ningbo's Haishu District.
What is the NAVAI Navigator 2?
NAVAI Navigator 2 is a 1.65 m, 60 kg humanoid with 41 degrees of freedom and 275 TOPS of AI computing, able to give speeches, make tea and play chess.
What is the NAVAI-I2?
NAVAI-I2 is described by the center as China's first full-size, full-degree-of-freedom bipedal robot. The center also makes the NAVAI-WA1 wheeled-arm and the NAVAI-I3.
How much has the center raised?
The center announced a 450 million yuan pre-A round on 24 January 2026, bringing total funding to 2.2 billion yuan in 18 months, with investors such as SUPCON and Lenovo Capital.
Who uses NAVAI robots?
The center reports assembly success above 99.99 percent on industrial lines for clients such as Huawei, and has expanded into automotive manufacturing, textiles and power grid inspection.
Where is the center based?
The Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center is based in Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, and was set up jointly by the Ningbo government and Zhejiang University.
How much does the NAVAI Navigator 2 cost?
The center has not published a price for the NAVAI Navigator 2. Industrial and research customers arrange purchases directly with the company.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.