This startup has brought WALL-E to life and is introducing his quirky cousin for sale.
A robotics startup named Zeroth is bringing a real-life version of WALL-E to the market. While the official Disney-branded WALL-E is currently exclusive to China, Zeroth is set to release a more affordable alternative in the US, priced at $5,599. This bot, dubbed the W1, ditches the iconic yellow color and expressive eyes but retains the dual-tread design, enabling it to navigate grass, gravel, and inclines. The W1 is built for home use or light tasks, capable of carrying up to 110 pounds—more than double its own weight of 44 pounds—while utilizing lidar, RGB cameras, and various sensors for navigation.
The W1’s functionality is somewhat limited; it can transport items, follow you around, act as a game host, and snap photos with its 13-megapixel camera. It moves at a top speed of about 1.1 miles per hour (0.5 meters per second) and stands 22.6 inches tall.
In addition to the W1, Zeroth is also introducing a smaller humanoid robot called the M1, which measures just 15 inches and starts at $2,899. This robot is designed to be a home companion, utilizing Google’s Gemini AI for conversation, reminders, fall detection, and checking in on household members. The M1 can operate on a desktop or the floor and is designed to “fall and self-recover” in both positions. It boasts a battery life of around two hours and will automatically return to its dock for recharging.
Both the M1 and W1 robots are set to be available for preorder in the US during the first quarter of this year.