MagicLab, a Chinese robotics startup, has recently demonstrated the impressive capabilities of its advanced humanoid robot, MagicBot, in a new video that’s both engaging and informative. In the footage, MagicBot confidently tows a cart loaded with three adults – weighing in at a combined 551 pounds (250 kg). It starts by pulling one person, then two, and finally all three, gracefully handling the increasing load even as its speed adjusts from 1.57 mph (0.7 m/s) to 0.67 mph (0.3 m/s).
Designed primarily for industrial automation, MagicBot is a third-generation, AI-powered humanoid robot that excels in multifaceted roles. Whether it’s managing domestic chores, offering public service, or aiding in search and rescue, this robot is built to work alongside humans in environments that require precise task execution – from product inspection and material handling to rearranging in dynamic factory settings. Each arm can carry up to 44 lbs (20 kg), contributing to a total lifting capacity of 88 lbs (40 kg).
One of MagicBot’s standout features is its sub-millimetre accuracy, which allows it to handle delicate tasks such as folding clothes, watering plants, and even roasting marshmallows. Equipped with six micro high-torque servo actuators and multi-dimensional pressure sensors, it manages these tasks with an almost human-like finesse. The robot’s 42 degrees of freedom contribute to its natural movements, while integrated sensors – including LiDAR, RGBD cameras, fisheye cameras, and ultrasonic sensors – offer robust situational awareness.
Its custom navigation algorithm aids in obstacle avoidance and path planning, ensuring it can tackle uneven terrain with confidence thanks to built-in anti-shock and anti-interference features. With a battery life that stretches up to five hours, MagicBot can operate nearly continuously and even burst into a short run of up to four minutes when required. Its AI also fine-tunes its gait using motion control networks, allowing it to adapt over time.
The robot leverages the MagicData AI engine for its training processes, combining synthetic data, teleoperation, imitation learning, and real-time inputs to improve performance. Among its many demonstrations are tasks like folding and storing laundry, skewering marshmallows before roasting them, watering plants, and executing eye-catching hand tricks – such as transforming an egg into a ball. It can even dance to music and navigate challenging outdoor terrain, highlighting its versatile application potential.
MagicLab’s strategic move to deploy MagicBot in select Chinese factories marks an important step towards cementing their leadership in the robotics field. Having entered small-scale mass production in early 2025, this humanoid robot shows tangible promise in revolutionising industrial support tasks.
