HONOR introduced a compact humanoid robot A1
English translation from Unibot. Source published 2026-10-25.
HONOR A1 is a compact humanoid prototype with an emphasis on physical mobility. It runs, climbs stairs and avoids obstacles, but has not yet demonstrated hand manipulation.
Dimensions and locomotion performance
The robot was developed by HONOR Device Co., Ltd., a Chinese smartphone brand based in Shenzhen. Height - 136.9 cm, weight - 40 kg. With rather modest dimensions, the emphasis is on physical mobility.
A1 can avoid obstacles, run a hundred meters and walk up stairs. The stated top speed is 10 km/h, which gives further insight into its locomotion performance.
Navigation instead of manipulation
The overall Humanoid.Guide Skill Score is 3 out of 10. This means that A1 is still in the category of developing, rather than mature, universal humanoids. Navigation received a 3 out of 5, and manipulation - 0 out of 5. It becomes clear: movement is the main feature of the current version.
Inside there are integrated HONOR joint modules with liquid cooling, borrowed from the company’s smartphones. The gray body and five fingers on each hand create a recognizable humanoid appearance. True, having hands does not guarantee the real ability to take something with them.
Use cases
Obstacle avoidance, 100-meter dash, and staircase all address three different aspects of movement. First - navigation around interference. Then - maintaining the running step at a given distance. And finally - the transition between height levels.
Together, these skills make A1 relevant for demos where mobility is at the forefront. The stated target areas are shops, public spaces, stages and events. There, physical movement is often the core of the presentation.
The navigation rating reflects a platform under development rather than full autonomy in all conditions. Running should also be perceived as a specific achievement, and not as proof of endurance over arbitrary distances. With a zero manipulation score, the A1's technical story revolves around walking rather than handling objects.
Prototype status and price
A1 status - prototype. Listed price is USD 25,000, subject to inquiry for potential buyers. This status distinguishes the robot from a commercially established product with widespread implementation experience.
HONOR introduced its robotics line in 2026. In March, the humanoid was first shown at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. A1 later turned heads at the Beijing Robotics Half Marathon, where it won the Best Gait award for its humanoid running style.
Engineering from smartphones
Lens Technology participated in the development - they jointly created lightweight metal structural parts. More broadly, the A1 shows how the smartphone maker is bringing its engineering base to humanoid hardware, including integrated joints, cooling and load-bearing components.