UK Startup ‘Humanoid’ Unveils HMND 01 Alpha Prototype: Lean, Agile, and Ready for the Future

The UK robotics scene just got more exciting with the reveal of the HMND 01 alpha prototype from emerging startup Humanoid. Standing at 5’9” and weighing 70 kg (154 lbs), the HMND 01 signals a deliberate design focus on human-like proportions and efficient movement aimed squarely at future applications in real-world environments.

Compact and Capable

The HMND 01 isn’t just about looks — it’s built to work. With a walking speed of 1.5 meters per second and a runtime of 4 hours on a single charge, this robot is clearly optimized for tasks that require mobility, endurance, and versatility. Its 15 kg (33 lbs) payload capacity suggests immediate potential in logistics support, hospitality, and even light manufacturing roles.

41 Degrees of Freedom

With 41 degrees of freedom (DoF), the HMND 01 is designed for nuanced, human-like movement. That puts it on the higher end of dexterity in its weight class, and hints at potential for fine manipulation tasks — from picking objects and opening doors to operating machinery in complex, dynamic environments.

The UK Joins the Humanoid Race

While many humanoid robotics efforts have been concentrated in the US and Asia, Humanoid’s entry marks a major move for the UK into the rapidly expanding humanoid arms race. The company hasn’t yet revealed full details on its actuator system, AI stack, or intended market focus, but insiders suggest the startup is leaning into modularity and developer accessibility — with future SDKs and third-party integrations planned.

Looking Ahead

With names like Tesla, Figure, Unitree, and Sanctuary dominating headlines, Humanoid’s HMND 01 is an ambitious signal that Europe is ready to step into the humanoid spotlight. As more details emerge and the prototype matures into beta and beyond, housebots.com will be following closely to see how this lean machine measures up in the global race to build the robot worker of tomorrow.