By Mazvitashe Murungweni
Shenzhen, China — Humanoid robots are expanding the frontiers of human achievement, and safety remains a top priority in their development, says Zhao Xiaofei, Head of Overseas Markets at Leju (Shenzhen) Robotics Co. Ltd.
Leju Robotics, the company behind KUAVO—the humanoid robot that served as a reporter during China’s national “two sessions” in March 2025—is taking a firm stance on ethical and safe robotics.
During a recent media tour, Zhao emphasized that while engineers strive for 100% safety, the possibility of error necessitates safeguards.
All Leju robots are equipped with accessible disarming buttons for emergency deactivation.
“It’s the responsibility of all robot developers—not just Leju—to ensure safety,” Zhao said.
He noted that Leju strictly adheres to China’s robust robot development regulations, which prioritize both safety and ethics.
Zhao’s comments come amid global debates on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, particularly humanoid robots.
As these machines gain more lifelike cognitive and physical abilities, fears of a dystopian “machines-take-over” scenario have intensified.
But Leju is working to dispel those fears. The company showcased its latest models with advanced features, including full-range arm mobility, stable reverse walking, jumping ability, and terrain navigation.
These capabilities are backed by real-time environmental feedback, making the robots suitable for both educational and commercial applications.
Crucially, every robot movement is programmable, controllable—and stoppable. Zhao also highlighted Leju’s personal space control function, which allows users to program a distance buffer between the robot and people. Visual light indicators alert nearby individuals when this zone is breached.
“We design our robots to coexist with humans—not to intimidate, but to assist,” Zhao explained.
At MWC 2025, Leju teamed up with Huawei and China Mobile to introduce the world’s first humanoid robot with 5G-Advanced technology, enabling precise location tracking and rapid data transmission—features critical for search and rescue missions.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Shenzhen, Leju has quickly become a leader in China’s robotics scene, with branches in Harbin and Hangzhou and collaborations across the tech sector.
Its AELOS and PANDO series are widely used in STEM education, while the KUAVO line is gaining attention for pushing the boundaries of robotic mobility and human-robot interaction.
In January 2025, Leju delivered its 100th full-size humanoid robot and is on track to ship 1,000 more by the end of the year.
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