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Zeno

Zeno

OOB Verified Review & Specs

Zeno is a compact humanoid robot engineered by Hanson Robotics for human-robot interaction research, especially autism therapy and education. Standing at child-like proportions around 43-56 cm tall, it features advanced **Frubber** skin for lifelike facial expressions driven by 32 simulated muscles, enabling emotional responses like smiling and frowning. Equipped with binocular 720p stereo vision at 30 fps for face recognition and tracking, plus 8 microphones for speech recognition across 26 languages, Zeno engages in natural conversations using AI-driven speech synthesis. Its 37 degrees of freedom allow arm movements, walking, head gestures, and eye expressions with moving eyelids. Powered by Dynamixel RX-28 servos and an open-source platform with Massive Software AI for navigation and autonomous behaviors, Zeno responds organically to its environment, making it ideal for social skill development, therapy sessions, and interactive learning in controlled indoor settings.

Manufacturer
Hanson Robotics
Country
China
OOB Humanoid
#286Rankings →
Launch Year
2008
Price
USD 4000-16000
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Quick Overview & Key Facts

Zeno is a humanoid system developed by Hanson Robotics in China and launched in 2008. Starting price is estimated at USD 4000-16000. It is currently ranked #286 in most-viewed humanoid robots on Origin of Bots. It supports People interaction, precision instruments. Operating battery runtime is rated at 2 hours on full charge. Primary applications include Autism therapy, social interaction studies, educational tools, human-robot interaction research. Featured in editorial articles including “Hanson Robotics’ Zeno returns as a social humanoid built for interaction, therapy studies and classroom use”.

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What Can Zeno Do?

Core operational tasks and activities demonstrated or performed by Zeno.

Autonomous task execution
High→
Collaborative work
High→
Human interaction
High→
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Real-World Applications of Zeno

Industries, working environments, and deployment suitability for Zeno.

Education and training
High→
Elder care
High→
Research and development
High→
⚡

Zeno Capabilities

Inherent physical, perceptual, and cognitive abilities built into Zeno.

Autonomous task execution
High→
Gesture recognition
High→
Human-robot interaction
High→
Learning
High→
Object recognition
High→
Perception
High→
Speech interaction
High→
📸

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Review Videos

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Zeno Review Video 1
Zeno Review Video 1
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Zeno Review Video 2
Zeno Review Video 2
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Zeno Review Video 3
Zeno Review Video 3
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Zeno Review Video 4
Zeno Review Video 4
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Robot Specifications

Primary Use Cases
Autism therapy, social interaction studies, educational tools, human-robot interaction research
Pet Friendly
Yes, with safety protocols
Deployment
Autonomous, learned behaviors, teleoperation via RoboWorkshop
Multi-Robot Coordination
No
People interaction, precision instruments
No
0.2 kg per arm
0.5 kg maximum
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Latest News About Zeno

Stay updated with the latest articles and developments

Hanson Robotics’ Zeno returns as a social humanoid built for interaction, therapy studies and classroom use
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Zeno • Hanson Robotics

Hanson Robotics’ Zeno returns as a social humanoid built for interaction, therapy studies and classroom use

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A familiar humanoid

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Why it stands out

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How it works

May 17, 2026Read Article →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about this robot

Q1. What is Zeno, and what problem is it designed to solve?

Zeno is a small humanoid robot developed by Hanson Robotics with an expressive face and conversational AI, designed as a platform for human-robot interaction research, particularly for autism spectrum disorder therapy.

Q2. What are the main capabilities and key features of Zeno?

Zeno features proprietary biomimetic skin for facial expressions, face tracking, conversational AI, walking capability, and sensors including cameras, gyroscopes, and microphones, according to the manufacturer.

Q3. Who is Zeno built for, and which industries can benefit from it?

Zeno targets researchers in human-robot interaction and education sectors, with applications in autism therapy as demonstrated in school trials with child psychologists.

Q4. Is Zeno a commercial product or still a research prototype?

Zeno functions as a research platform with reported commercial pricing, positioned by Hanson Robotics for both research and therapeutic applications.

Q5. Is Zeno currently available for purchase, and when is it expected to ship?

As of 2026, Zeno is listed with a price of $14,750 by distributors, with shipping timelines depending on order fulfillment.

Q6. How does Zeno actually work in real-world environments?

In real-world settings like schools, Zeno uses facial expressions and AI to encourage communication in autistic children, as shown in trials at Queensmill school in London.

Q7. When was Zeno announced or officially launched?

Zeno was introduced by Hanson Robotics in 2012 as part of its Robokind portfolio, with demonstrations for autism therapy applications.

Q8. How is Zeno different from other robots in the same category?

Zeno distinguishes itself with Frubber biomimetic skin mimicking human facial muscles, HD eye cameras for recognition, and an open-source platform for AI development.

Q9. Does Zeno require additional development or customization after purchase?

As a research platform, Zeno supports open-source customization for specific applications like therapy, per manufacturer descriptions.

Q10. What is the future roadmap or planned upgrades for Zeno?

Hanson Robotics has indicated ongoing development of its robots for broader commercial and therapeutic uses, building on Zeno's interaction capabilities.

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