Ant Group’s Robbyant R1 Humanoid Robot Cooks Garlic Shrimp, Will Take On Tesla’s Optimus

Ant Group, the company behind Alipay, made a splash at IFA 2025 in Berlin with the Robbyant R1 humanoid robot. This is a machine designed to marry artificial intelligence with physical tasks to ease daily chores, whether it be cooking garlic shrimp in a busy kitchen to guiding tourists in a museum.

Robbyant built R1 to tackle real-world tasks with a human touch, such as in commercial kitchens where it handles complex cooking processes that involve repetitive, time-consuming steps. R1 can grab ingredients, operate stoves or woks and serve meals with precision. Beyond catering, Ant Group sees R1 as a tour guide, a pharmacy assistant sorting meds, or even a caregiver giving basic medical advice.

R1’s capabilities are centered on its embodied AI, a system that allows the robot to plan and execute tasks autonomously. When an order comes in, R1 doesn’t need step-by-step instructions. It plans out the entire process from picking up a spatula to plating a plate and then gets to work. This AI, powered by Ant’s BaiLing model, allows the robot to learn new recipes over time and adapt to different kitchen layouts. The system also uses locally manufactured processors and parts from Chinese companies like Ti5 for joint modules and Galaxea AI for the chassis, showing Ant’s preference for local tech. This emphasis on AI over hardware makes R1 different from competitors who focus on mechanical design.

Accuracy is key in cooking and R1’s spatial awareness function makes it easy to navigate a cluttered workspace. It knows the difference between a knife, a cutting board and a pile of veggies so it moves with precision every time. In a busy kitchen where human hands might falter under pressure, R1 ensures consistency. Businesses can also configure the robot to fit their own layout so it’s a flexible addition to any work environment.

At IFA, Robbyant’s Country Manager for DACH, Zheng Yuewen, talked about the overall vision. He sees R1 as a way to free people from mundane tasks and labor shortages in industries like food and healthcare. The robot as a companion for the elderly or a guide at tourist attractions hints at a future where humanoids are part of daily life. Ant Group is already looking at partnerships in Europe to expand R1’s use cases which range from medical assistance to household help. Robbyant’s CEO, Zhu Xing, said R1 is more than a tool, it’s a “super smart brain” connected to cloud-based AI and gets smarter with every task it completes.

Ant Group’s move into robotics might seem strange for a company founded in finance but it’s consistent with the company’s mission to simplify lives through technology. Alipay changed payments, R1 will change physical activities. The company’s investment in AI which includes the BaiLing model and acquisitions like Haodf, a healthcare portal, shows a clear plan to combine digital and physical innovation. Ant is positioning itself as a leader in China’s digital scene by creating R1 with local suppliers and focusing on AI. Factory automation in China is already ahead of US and Japan. R1 can be a bridge to bring that expertise into homes and public spaces.
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