Irobot EA Launches Affordable Q5 Humanoid Robot
Yesterday, on October 29, 2025, Chinese robotics company Irobot EA unveiled its latest innovation: the Q5 humanoid service robot. This machine steps into a crowded field with a design that mimics human form and function, promising to handle tasks in homes, hotels, and offices with ease.
Irobot EA, founded in 2018 in Shenzhen, has built a name in affordable automation. They started with small service bots for delivery and cleaning, but recent pushes into AI have let them tackle more complex humanoids. Backed by investors eyeing China's booming elder care market, the company now employs over 500 engineers focused on blending hardware with smart software.
The Q5 stands at 1.7 meters tall, weighing 65 kilograms, and boasts 44 degrees of freedom—joints that allow fluid movements like a person's. Its arms grip delicate objects, from teacups to tools, while legs navigate stairs and uneven floors without stumbling. Powered by an onboard AI system, the robot learns from its surroundings, adapting to new commands via voice or gestures. It even simulates natural conversations, making interactions feel less robotic.
What makes the Q5 stand out? In tests shown yesterday, it folded laundry in under two minutes and served drinks without spills, all while predicting user needs. Irobot EA claims production starts next quarter, priced under $20,000—half the cost of rivals like Boston Dynamics' Atlas. This could bring capable humanoids to everyday use, easing labor shortages in service industries.
As robotics edges closer to our daily lives, the Q5 signals a shift. No longer just factory tools, these machines aim to assist where humans need help most. Watch for Irobot EA's demos; they might just redefine service work.