Chinese humanoid robot maker ZhiYuan Robotics (Aijibot), a startup backed by LG Electronics, has completed a 24-hour autonomous walking test under extreme outdoor conditions, marking a significant milestone in China’s push to commercialize advanced humanoid robots.
The company announced that on August 17 it livestreamed the trial of its humanoid model, the YuanZheng A2, in Shanghai’s Pudong district. Starting at 8:20 a.m. and running until the same time the following day, the robot walked continuously without any remote human intervention.
During the test, the 5-foot-6-inch (5’6”), 152-pound humanoid endured temperatures above 95°F while navigating asphalt, brick, and pavement surfaces. It successfully avoided obstacles such as pedestrians, traffic cones, and speed bumps, adjusting its route in real time. At night, the robot relied on autonomous charging, sensor-based environmental awareness, and route-optimization algorithms to maintain uninterrupted mobility.
The YuanZheng A2 is equipped with a 700Wh battery that provides around two hours of runtime and supports hot-swap functionality, allowing battery replacement within a minute without shutting down. According to ZhiYuan, the robot resumed operations immediately after battery swaps during the test, proving its potential for extended outdoor missions.
Technically, the A2 features more than 40 degrees of freedom, a self-developed 270 TOPS control chip, and high-precision motors for enhanced balance and stability. Over 95% of its components are sourced from domestic suppliers, which the company says will help secure large-scale manufacturing capacity.
ZhiYuan reported that a single A2 unit has already accumulated over 3,000 hours of walking time, while other models have completed between 60 and 360 hours of endurance tests. The company’s long-term target is 720 hours.
Founded in 2023 by Feng Zhuhui, a former Huawei and OpenAI AI engineer, ZhiYuan Robotics has quickly built a diverse lineup, including the YuanZheng A2, the Lingxi X1 service robot, and the Raise A1 industrial robot. By the end of last year, the company had produced 962 units, underscoring its ability to scale.
The startup recently attracted fresh funding from LG Electronics and Mirae Asset Group, though investment amounts were not disclosed. Other backers include BYD, China Telecom, Hongshan (Sequoia China), and House Investment.
With its latest endurance test, ZhiYuan is positioning itself as a leading contender in the global humanoid robotics race—an industry that has drawn interest from both Chinese industrial giants and international investors.
