New humanoid robot brings human-like touch to hospitality services

KEENON Robotics unveiled its bipedal humanoid service robot, XMAN-F1, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, showcasing its ability to perform specific hospitality tasks such as mixing drinks, scooping popcorn, and delivering product demonstrations. The Shanghai-based company emphasized that while the robot’s lifelike movements and gestures attract attention, the primary focus is on mastering simple, repeatable tasks before expanding to broader capabilities. CEO Li Tong highlighted a pragmatic approach, aiming for gradual deployment from single to multiple tasks, supported by AI technologies including large language models and multimodal interaction. Beyond individual functions, KEENON demonstrated XMAN-F1’s integration within a broader ecosystem of robots, such as collaborating with logistics and delivery robots in medical and bar settings to create interoperable fleets. The company leverages its extensive experience in electromechanical manufacturing and environmental data collection to advance humanoid robotics. With a significant market presence—holding 22.7% of global commercial service robot