In a landmark demonstration, Beijing’s X-Humanoid successfully connected its ‘Embodied Tien Kung’ humanoid robot directly to a low-earth-orbit internet satellite, enabling it to perform complex tasks without any ground network. This world-first trial, using GalaxySpace’s phased-array satellite, marks a pivotal step toward truly autonomous robots operating anywhere on Earth.
The dream of a humanoid robot that can function in the most remote deserts, disaster zones, or on other planets hinges on one thing: staying connected without relying on cell towers. Researchers from Beijing have just turned that dream into a tangible prototype. At the 3rd Beijing Commercial Space Industry High-Quality Development Promotion Conference, X-Humanoid showcased a breakthrough that could redefine the operational limits of embodied intelligence.
The demonstration was elegantly simple yet profoundly complex. Staff placed a symbolic “Joint Project Completion Acceptance Certificate” into an unmanned vehicle, which then traveled a preset route. The Embodied Tien Kung robot, stationed elsewhere, awaited its moment. As the GalaxySpace satellite passed overhead, the robot captured the transit window, performed self-checks, and established a stable, high-throughput link—completely independently. According to the official announcement from X-Humanoid, this achievement represents the world’s first successful trial of an embodied intelligent humanoid robot directly connecting to a low-earth-orbit satellite.
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Once linked, the robot’s mission unfolded. It retrieved the certificate from the vehicle and navigated to a designated building. Every step of this journey was historic. “Every joint movement and forward-facing visual frame was converted into a data stream, transmitted to the low-earth-orbit satellite hundreds of kilometers above, and instantly relayed back to the command center,” described the company. Notably, the entire process transmitted 720P visual data in real time without using any ground-based public networks, achieving seamless remote management from a first-person robot perspective.
The technical backbone of this feat is as impressive as the robot’s walk. The trial also constituted China’s first multi-terminal, multi-link connection using a new phased-array flat-panel LEO internet satellite. The satellite maintained simultaneous, stable connections with the robot, Xiaomi 17 smartphones, and computer terminals. This multi-link capability is crucial for future scenarios where a single satellite might need to manage a swarm of robots, sensors, and human personnel simultaneously in a coordinated operation.
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Why does a satellite-connected robot matter so much? It shatters the final tether. Current advanced robots are often constrained by the range and reliability of local WiFi or cellular networks. A direct satellite link means true global autonomy. This technology promises applications in search and rescue in communication-blackout areas, remote infrastructure inspection, and even off-world exploration. It fundamentally enables a robot to be deployed as a standalone remote agent, with humans maintaining complete situational awareness and control from thousands of miles away.
The successful demonstration by X-Humanoid and GalaxySpace is more than a neat tech demo; it’s a foundational proof-of-concept for the next generation of robotics. By integrating cutting-edge satellite internet with advanced humanoid embodiment, the team in Beijing has not just set a world record—they have drawn a clear blueprint for a future where intelligent machines can operate anywhere, anytime, always connected.
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