Phoenix is a general-purpose humanoid from Vancouver-based Sanctuary AI, unveiled in May 2023. Its signature feature is a pair of dexterous, touch-sensing hands, and it is controlled by Sanctuary's Carbon AI system. In 2026 Sanctuary shifted strategy to deploy its AI mainly on commercially available industrial robots, keeping humanoids as a later goal.
History and launch
Sanctuary AI unveiled Phoenix on 16 May 2023 as the sixth generation of its general-purpose robot. A few weeks earlier, in March 2023, it announced its first commercial deployment: a week-long pilot at a Mark's store (part of Canadian Tire Corporation) in Langley, British Columbia, where the robot correctly completed 110 retail tasks such as picking and packing.
In April 2024 Sanctuary introduced the seventh-generation Phoenix, with a wider, more human-like range of motion, better vision and tactile sensing, more uptime, faster build times and a cheaper bill of materials.
Hardware
At launch Sanctuary listed Phoenix at 5 ft 7 in (about 170 cm), 155 lb (about 70 kg), a 55 lb (about 25 kg) payload and a top speed of 3 mph (about 1.3 m/s). Its hands have 20 degrees of freedom in total and proprietary haptic sensors that mimic touch.
Sanctuary also develops hydraulic hands and has published work on controlling them and on zero-shot in-hand manipulation; in 2026 it lists robotic hands as a product in development.
Software and AI
Phoenix runs Carbon, Sanctuary's cognitive architecture, which combines modern AI techniques to turn natural-language instructions into physical actions. The company has long said the robot is a tool for the AI rather than the other way round, and it trains with simulation tools such as NVIDIA Isaac Lab.
Use cases and deployments
Beyond the Mark's pilot, Sanctuary has not published large Phoenix deployments. In June 2026 it announced an expanded strategy: rather than waiting for humanoids to reach mass production, it deploys its AI models on commercial robot arms. The first announced task was plugging wires into a target on a moving conveyor at full line speed for a global Tier 1 automotive supplier. Industrial humanoids remain on the roadmap.
Manufacturer
Sanctuary AI was founded in 2018 in Vancouver; co-founders include Geordie Rose (former CEO) and Olivia Norton (CTO). Investors it lists include Bell, Canadian Tire Corporation, Evok Innovations and Export Development Canada. In June 2026 Daniel Friedmann, who ran MDA for nearly two decades and later Carbon Engineering, became CEO, replacing James Wells.
Price and availability
Phoenix was never sold openly and has no public price. Sanctuary now takes commercial enquiries mainly for deploying its AI on existing industrial robots.
Timeline
- 2023-03 First commercial deployment: week-long pilot at a Mark's store.
- 2023-05 Phoenix (sixth generation) and Carbon unveiled.
- 2024-04 Seventh-generation Phoenix.
- 2026-06 Daniel Friedmann named CEO; pivot to AI on industrial robots.
Sources
- Sanctuary AI Deploys First Humanoid General-Purpose Robot Commercially, Sanctuary AI (2023-03-07)
- Sanctuary AI Unveils Phoenix - A Humanoid General-Purpose Robot Designed for Work, Sanctuary AI (2023-05-16)
- Sanctuary AI Unveils the Next Generation of AI Robotics, Sanctuary AI (2024-04-26)
- Daniel Friedmann Appointed CEO of Sanctuary AI, Sanctuary AI (2026-06-16)
- Sanctuary AI Expands Physical AI Strategy to Industrial Robotics, Demonstrating Production-Ready AI Performance, Sanctuary AI (2026-06-17)
- Sanctuary AI home page, Sanctuary AI (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 170 cm the Sanctuary AI Phoenix is taller than 43% 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 70 kg (catalogue median: 65 kg) matters for transport and for working around people.
- It is one of 2 Sanctuary AI models in the catalogue and one of 3 humanoids from Canada.
Capabilities
Frequently asked questions
How much does Sanctuary Phoenix cost?
There is no public price; it was never on open sale.
How many degrees of freedom do Phoenix's hands have?
Per the 2023 launch materials, 20 in total, with haptic sensing.
What is Carbon?
Sanctuary's AI control system, which turns natural-language instructions into robot actions.
Where has Phoenix worked?
Best known is a week-long pilot at a Mark's store in Langley, Canada, with 110 tasks completed.
Is Sanctuary still building humanoids?
Yes, but since 2026 it first deploys its AI on commercial industrial robots and treats humanoids as a later stage.
How much does the Sanctuary AI Phoenix cost?
The manufacturer has not published a price for the Sanctuary AI Phoenix. You can send a purchase enquiry through MERA Robotics.
Is the Sanctuary AI Phoenix available to buy?
Status: In development: the manufacturer has shown the robot but is not selling it openly yet.
How tall and heavy is the Sanctuary AI Phoenix?
Height: 170 cm, weight: 70 kg, degrees of freedom: 40.
How do I buy the Sanctuary AI Phoenix 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: Sanctuary AI. Specs from the manufacturer; they may change, always confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
