20 July 2026 | News
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
At WAIC 2026, KEENON Robotics is bringing together humanoid robots and specialized service robots on the same stage — not as competing concepts, but as complementary forms of embodied intelligence intervening in the whole range of business service processes.
According to IDC, KEENON has ranked first globally in terms of commercial service robot shipments by 2025, while maintaining its leading position in the global delivery robot market. IDC also believes the industry is moving towards a more diversified and multifaceted future, in which different types of robots are deployed depending on the needs of specific tasks and environments. KEENON was the first to suggest such a strategy, and the WAIC trade show is an opportunity to illustrate this trend.
At the booth, the recently presented hotel laundry scenario perfectly demonstrates this approach. Humanoid robots perform operational tasks such as loading and operating washing machines, removing clean linen, and folding clothes, while the DINERBOT T9 handles the entire delivery process. Together, they show how humanoid and specialized robots can divide tasks and collaborate within a real hotel environment.
Beyond hotel operations, KEENON applies the same role-based approach to the restaurant and retail sectors. Drawing on years of experience with restaurant and retail clients, the XMAN-R1 handles front-of-house tasks that combine customer interaction with object manipulation, from preparing drinks with NOWWA Coffee to responding to customer requests in settings such as bakeries or retail stores. Rather than showcasing isolated demonstrations, these scenarios illustrate how KEENON is bringing proven business operations to life in new humanoid capabilities, with each task performed autonomously and without teleoperation.
With its strategy focused on "a versatile humanoid robot paired with a specialized service robot," KEENON is paving the way for embodied intelligence: humanoids handle tasks requiring high flexibility in execution and interaction, while specialized robots ensure high-speed deliveries and cleaning. At WAIC 2026, KEENON will not only present new robot models but also a more complete model for commercial deployment.
With over 100,000 service robots deployed worldwide in more than 70 countries and regions, KEENON has been recognized by world-renowned brands across various sectors and is widely used by major retailers such as Burger King, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hilton, BMW, Lego, and others. Whether it's 10 to over 20 robots operating in single establishments like the Around Pyeongchang Hotel, or a mixed fleet of 8 robots of 6 different types in establishments like the Shangri-La's Trader Hotel – the world's first smart hotel to feature both humanoid and service robots – KEENON delivers proven efficiency in multi-robot management.
