Kepler K1 (KEPLERBOT Forerunner K1) is a full-size general-purpose humanoid from Shanghai Kepler Exploration Robot. It was the first model of the Forerunner series, aimed at manufacturing, warehousing, inspection and research, and has since been succeeded by the K2.
Design and hardware
Kepler lists the K1 at 178 cm, 85 kg and up to 40 degrees of freedom across the body. Its patented hands, modeled on the human hand, have 12 DoF each with force sensing.
Kepler designs its own KEPLERGEAR actuators: a planetary roller-screw linear actuator that integrates screw, driver, reducer and encoder, and a rotary actuator with 200 Nm peak torque and 0.01° repeatability.
Software and AI
The robot runs Kepler's own Nebula system on a 100 TOPS compute board. Visual SLAM builds 3D maps of unfamiliar spaces and plans routes, while the vision system recognizes objects, faces and motion in real time.
Use cases
Kepler lists education and research, smart inspection and patrol, production lines (testing, assembly, quality control), warehousing and logistics, high-risk work such as radiation or heat, and outdoor tasks. No customers are named.
Successor: Forerunner K2
The K2 is 175 cm and 75 kg; the full version has 52 DoF and 275 TOPS (base version: 30 DoF and 100 TOPS). Kepler promotes it with one hour of charging for eight hours of work and ten-finger tactile hands. The 52 DoF and 8-hour runtime that some catalogs attribute to the K1 therefore belong to the K2.
Company
Shanghai Kepler Exploration Robot Co., Ltd. is based in the Zhangjiang AI park in Pudong, Shanghai, and develops, manufactures and deploys general-purpose humanoids.
Price and availability
Kepler does not publish a K1 price; orders go through the Buy Now form on its website.
Sources
- KEPLERBOT Forerunner K1 product page, Kepler Exploration Robotics (2026-10)
- KEPLERBOT Forerunner K2 product page, Kepler Exploration Robotics (2026-10)
- About Us / Contact, Kepler Exploration Robotics (2026-10)
Updated: 2026-10-10
Verification and limitations
This entry requires an up-to-date manufacturer specification check.
MERA field measurement report: not published. Demonstration footage and manufacturer specifications are not a MERA test under event conditions.
Data and provenance for AI agents ↗Compared with the catalogue
- At 178 cm the Kepler K1 is taller than 83% of the humanoids in the catalogue (median: 170 cm).
- It has 40 degrees of freedom against a catalogue median of 28; more degrees of freedom usually means finer arm and hand movement.
- Its weight of 85 kg (catalogue median: 65 kg) matters for transport and for working around people.
- It is one of 3 Kepler models in the catalogue and one of 128 humanoids from China.
Capabilities
Frequently asked questions
How tall and heavy is the Kepler K1?
178 cm and 85 kg according to Kepler.
How many degrees of freedom does the K1 have?
Up to 40 across the body, including 12 per hand.
How does the K1 differ from the K2?
The K2 is lighter (75 kg), has up to 52 DoF, more compute (275 TOPS) and, per Kepler, works 8 hours after a one-hour charge.
How much does the Kepler K1 cost?
The price is not public.
How much does the Kepler K1 cost?
The manufacturer has not published a price for the Kepler K1. You can send a purchase enquiry through MERA Robotics.
Is the Kepler K1 available to buy?
Status: Obsolete: the model has been retired or replaced by a newer version.
How tall and heavy is the Kepler K1?
Height: 178 cm, weight: 85 kg, degrees of freedom: 40.
How do I buy the Kepler K1 through MERA Robotics?
Click “I want to buy” or fill in the form on this page. MERA Robotics will reply whether and on what terms the model is available and can help deploy it with the MERA OS conversation system.
Data: Kepler. Specs from the manufacturer; they may change, always confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
