An AI robotics startup called Zeroth is turning WALL-E into a real-life robot companion. Although the WALL-E version with the Disney-licensed design is currently only on sale in China, Zeroth is launching an off-brand version of the beloved bot in the US for $5,599.
The bot, called W1, doesn’t have WALL-E’s yellow color scheme or human-like eyes, but it comes with the same dual-tread design that helps the bot travel on grass, gravel and slopes. Zeroth says the W1 is designed for use at home or in “light” scenarios, as it can carry up to 110 pounds — more than double its 44-pound weight — while using lidar, RGB cameras, and sensors to navigate its environment.
What the W1 can do seems a bit limited. Zeroth says it can transport objects, follow you, serve as a game host and take photos using its 13-megapixel camera. The W1 travels at a maximum speed of approximately 1.1 miles per hour (0.5 meters per second) and is 22.6 inches long.
Zeroth is also launching a doll-sized humanoid robot in the US. The M1 robot stands just 15 inches tall, its price starts at $2,899, and it is designed to serve as a home companion. The M1 uses Google’s Gemini AI model for conversations, while offering reminders, fall detection, and the ability to check on people indoors.
Zeroth says the device can work on your desktop or on the floor, and “can fall over and recover on its own in both modes.” According to Zeroth, the M1 has a battery life of about two hours and will automatically return to its dock to recharge.
Both the M1 and W1 robots will be available for preorder in the US during the first quarter of this year.
