China’s dice-rolling humanoid robot could serve tea, clean dishes

Chinese robotics company AI² Robotics has introduced the AlphaBot 2, a humanoid robot featuring embodied artificial intelligence (AI) that enables it to understand spoken commands, interact physically with its environment, and respond emotionally. Demonstrated at China’s Beyond Expo, AlphaBot 2 can play dice, press buttons, and give a thumbs-up when a human wins. Unlike traditional robots that require extensive programming, AlphaBot 2 learns new tasks from just 5 to 10 demonstrations, marking a significant advancement in robot adaptability. Currently, it is employed in industrial settings such as car factories for material handling and labeling, with plans to assist in luggage cart organization at major Chinese airports by late 2025. Looking ahead, AI² Robotics envisions AlphaBot 2 serving domestic roles, including making tea, cleaning dishes, and aiding elderly care, aiming to become a “robot for every family.” However, widespread home adoption faces challenges such as high costs—starting around $15,000 per unit—s