Kepler Robotics Unveils K2 ‘Bumblebee’ Humanoid and Open Developer Platform at IROS 2025

Kepler Robotics unveiled its humanoid robot K2 “Bumblebee” at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2025) in Hangzhou, announced in a press release. The robot demonstrated humanlike walking and gestures during live displays, drawing attention for its smooth motion and precise control.

The K2 “Bumblebee” uses a hybrid actuation system combining roller screw linear and rotary actuators. This design enables natural straight-knee walking and improved motion accuracy. Reinforcement learning and GPU-accelerated physics simulations were applied to train the robot in varied virtual environments, helping it replicate human walking behavior efficiently.

Alongside the robot, Kepler Robotics launched an open developer platform designed to support global developers. The platform includes tools for robotic arm control, vision, navigation, and voice modules, as well as simulation and digital twin capabilities for virtual testing. Developers can use Kepler Studio’s graphical interface and natural language input to assemble motion sequences quickly.

The company also introduced the Lighthouse Program to collaborate with developers and partners on humanoid applications. The initiative offers technical resources, funding opportunities, and market access to accelerate commercialization of humanoid robotics solutions.