Keenon Robotics

Keenon Robotics has built a commercial service robotics platform since its founding in 2010. While the company built its reputation through restaurant delivery robots, it expanded into healthcare applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, deploying medical delivery and disinfection robots to over 100 hospitals and quarantine centers per the company’s reporting.

Company Overview

Founded by Tony Li (李通) in Shanghai, Keenon began as an experimental research company exploring robotic applications before pivoting to commercial service robots. The 2016 launch of DINERBOT T1, recognized as the world’s first autonomous delivery robot, marked the company’s breakthrough moment. By 2018, Keenon had partnered with Haidilao to create the world’s first intelligent restaurant, establishing its leadership in catering robotics.

The company has raised approximately $244 million across multiple funding rounds, with its $200 million Series D in September 2021 led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, alongside CICC ALPHA and Prosperity7 Ventures (Saudi Aramco’s venture capital fund). This funding established Keenon as a recognized unicorn in the service robotics sector.

Keenon operates across 60+ countries and 600+ cities worldwide, with regional subsidiaries in the United States, Germany, UAE, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. The company maintains a strategic partnership with SoftBank Robotics to accelerate global expansion.

Core Products

M Series Medical Robots

The M Series represents Keenon’s dedicated healthcare product line, developed in response to pandemic-driven demand for contactless hospital operations.

M1 Medical Delivery Robot: Designed for autonomous transportation of medications, specimens, supplies, and documents within hospital environments. Features include multi-floor navigation via elevator integration and secure compartments for sensitive materials.

M2 Disinfection Robot: Equipped with UV-C sterilization technology for infection control in patient rooms, corridors, and high-traffic areas. Deployed extensively across Chinese hospitals and quarantine facilities during COVID-19.

M Series Medical Robot Pro: The latest iteration combines delivery, UV disinfection, and medical waste collection capabilities in a single platform, addressing multiple hospital logistics challenges.

Commercial Service Robot Portfolio

Beyond healthcare, Keenon offers broad service robot solutions:

• DINERBOT Series (T3, T5, T6, T8, T9, T10, T11): Restaurant delivery robots with narrow-aisle navigation (59cm passage capability)
• BUTLERBOT W3: Hotel service robot for room delivery and guest amenities
• KLEENBOT Series (C20, C30, C40, C55): Professional cleaning robots for commercial spaces
• GUIDERBOT: Visitor guidance and reception robot
• S100: Heavy-load industrial delivery robot (100kg payload capacity)
• XMAN-F1: Bipedal humanoid robot launched in July 2025, featuring the KOM2.0 VLA large model

Technology & Innovation

Keenon has accumulated over 730 international patents across the US, EU, UK, Canada, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. Core technology competencies include:

SLAM Navigation: Proprietary simultaneous localization and mapping achieving centimeter-level positioning accuracy in complex environments, essential for hospital corridor navigation.

Sensor Fusion: Integration of LiDAR, stereo vision, and ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and dynamic path planning around patients, staff, and equipment.

Multi-Modal Interaction: Voice recognition and display-based communication enabling intuitive human-robot interaction in healthcare settings.

Cloud Management Platform: The KEENON Cloud, certified under EU GDPR legislation in 2023, provides fleet management, remote monitoring, and data analytics across deployed robot networks.

Market Presence

Keenon claims significant market share in China’s commercial service robot sector, particularly in catering, according to IDC market research. The company operates over 35,000 daily active units globally, having served more than 210 million people through its robotic platforms.

In healthcare, Keenon deployed robots to over 100 hospitals and quarantine centers during the pandemic response, demonstrating rapid scalability for crisis situations. The M Series continues to find applications in hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities requiring contactless logistics.

Pilot deployments of the XMAN-F1 humanoid robot have begun with partners including Shangri-La Hotels and Walmart, targeting both hospitality and warehouse logistics applications.

Key Milestones

• 2010: Company founded in Shanghai
• 2016: DINERBOT T1 launched as world’s first autonomous delivery robot
• 2018: Partnership with Haidilao for world’s first intelligent restaurant
• 2020: M1 and M2 medical robots launched; deployed to 100+ hospitals during COVID-19
• 2021: Series D funding of $200M led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2
• 2022: Global expansion accelerated to 60+ countries
• 2023: KEENON Cloud achieved EU GDPR certification
• 2025: XMAN-F1 humanoid robot launched with KOM2.0 AI model

Frequently Asked Questions

What medical robots does Keenon offer?

Keenon’s M Series includes the M1 medical delivery robot for transporting medications and specimens, the M2 UV disinfection robot for infection control, and the M Series Medical Robot Pro that combines delivery, disinfection, and waste collection functions.

Is Keenon Robotics publicly traded?

No, Keenon remains a private company. It achieved unicorn status following its $200 million Series D funding round in 2021 led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

How many hospitals use Keenon robots?

Keenon deployed medical delivery and disinfection robots to over 100 hospitals and quarantine centers in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exact current hospital install base is not publicly disclosed.

What is Keenon’s latest product?

The XMAN-F1 bipedal humanoid robot, launched in July 2025, represents Keenon’s expansion into general-purpose service robots. It features the KOM2.0 Visual-Language-Action model for autonomous task execution.