Robotics Special: AgiBot's backpack-sized robot

Welcome back, Superhuman. The first big story of the new year comes in a tiny package. Robotics startup AgiBot has stunned industry watchers by unveiling a humanoid robot small enough to slip inside your backpack. But don’t be fooled by its size, this little robot packs a serious punch.

WHAT’S NEXT

The most important news and breakthroughs in robotics this week

1. Chinese startup unveils humanoid robot that can fit inside your backpack: Robotics startup AgiBot has launched the Q1, a 31-inch humanoid robot that weighs just one-eighth of a full-size humanoid. It offers zero-code programming, voice interaction, English tutoring, and dance coaching, hinting at a future where humanoid robots are portable, affordable, and practical for home use. Watch the groundbreaking design in action here.

2. Tesla driver reportedly nails entire coast-to-coast trip on full autopilot: LiDAR operator David Moss has finished what he's calling the world's first fully autonomous US coast-to-coast drive, traveling more than 2,700 miles with zero disengagements. Videos documenting the journey began circulating online, picking up momentum on social media. While impressive, the feat comes with caveats — Tesla's system is still not classified as Level 4/5 autonomy, and the achievement relies largely on self-reported data.

3. New robotic skin lets humanoids sense pain and react instantly: Chinese researchers have built neuromorphic electronic skin that lets humanoid robots sense harmful contact and react with reflex-like speed without needing any central processing. The four-layer skin mimics human nervous systems by sending electrical pulses that encode pressure data. It’s a crucial feature as robots move from factories into homes and hospitals, where instant injury detection could prevent serious damage.

PRESENTED BY SLACK

Productivity alert: NEW Slackbot features for your workflow

If your team lives on Slack like ours, register for the Slackbot launch webinar on Jan 29.

It’s a deep dive into the new Slackbot, an AI assistant that lives directly in your workflow for complete context—without switching tabs:

• Search all your files across Slack, Google Drive, and OneDrive (even from half-remembered clues)

• Summarizes files, explains charts, and pulls action items

• Smart scheduling that preps meetings, surfaces context, and maximizes your day

Register for a live demo and best use cases for your org.

ROBOTS IN ACTION

How robots are transforming the world around us

🚨 Walking the Beat: A "Terminator" humanoid from Chinese startup EngineAI just hit the streets of Shenzhen, walking patrol alongside police officers in what appears to be a public test of AI-powered law enforcement assistance. While this was a controlled demonstration, it signals how rapidly robots are moving from labs into real-world public safety roles, spurring new conversations about robots in law enforcement.

🛬 Sky Squad: Turkey just became the first country to demonstrate fully autonomous close formation flight with unmanned drones. Defense firm Baykar's drones maintained tight positioning without external control, using sophisticated algorithms for real-time navigation, obstacle avoidance, and collaborative actions. The drones enter serial production later this year with military deployment expected in another 12-18 months.

🧱 Brick-and-Mortar: Chinese robotics giant Unitree has partnered with JD.com to open what they’re calling the world’s first physical storefront for robots in Beijing. Shoppers can now interact with and purchase the company’s humanoid and quadruped robots in person. The move marks a sharp pivot towards consumer retail, with Unitree betting that hands-on experience will drive consumer adoption in the years to come.

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

Everything else you need to know this week

Here are the biggest developments in the robotics space that you should know about:

• Amazon has abandoned plans to launch drone deliveries in Italy, citing regulatory roadblocks despite some progress with local aviation authorities.

• UBTECH claims it has hit a major production milestone, rolling its 1000th Walker S2 humanoid robot off the line at its Liuzhou manufacturing plant.

• China is set to officially classify drones as aircraft under new laws that will come into effect in July. It’s an effort to boost safety and industry accountability.

• Chinese firm AI² Robotics has unveiled ZhiCube, a modular AI service space featuring a humanoid that dynamically adapts to customer needs and foot traffic.

ROBOT OF THE WEEK

A robot that caught our eye this week

Your pet doesn’t ever have to be lonely again.

Enabot's ROLA PetPal Robot is an all-in-one pet companion packed with an impressive suite of features like two-way communication, auto-navigation, an AI-powered snack dispenser, and interactive toys to keep your pets busy while you’re away.

It’s all controlled through a simple app that even gives you daily video summaries of your pet’s activities.

You can check it out here.

ROBO REEL

Watch: Humanoid robot hits ‘perfect strokes’ in tennis practice with a human

Watch out, Wimbledon! Here come the robots.

UBTech's Walker S2 humanoid robot just rallied live tennis shots with a human opponent, nailing the split-second coordination of perception, prediction, balance, and racket control that makes the sport brutally difficult for robots. These aren’t just flashy demos — they prove humanoid robots can handle the unpredictable, continuous physical coordination that real-world factory floors and logistics centers demand.

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Until next time,

Zain and the Superhuman AI team