K-Scale Labs K-Bot

2025-07-01 · Publisher : K-Scale Labs · Domain : Robotics

K-Scale Labs opens pre-orders for K-Bot, a 1.40 m open-source humanoid priced under $10,000; the start-up shut down in November 2025 for lack of an investor (approximate date: summer 2025).

### Background In summer 2025, K-Scale Labs, a Palo Alto start-up founded by Benjamin Bolte (formerly at Meta AI and Tesla Autopilot), opened pre-orders for K-Bot, a low-cost open-source humanoid for developers and researchers. K-Scale did not publish a precise launch date: the date used here (1 July 2025) is that of the first identified press coverage. It is an **approximate date, based on a single source**. ### Specifications | Item | Detail | |---|---| | Height | 1.40 m | | Weight | About 34 kg | | Price | Starting under $10,000 | | First batch | Limited to 100 pre-orders | | Licences | Hardware CERN-OHL-S-2.0, software MIT | ### Why it matters K-Bot aimed to offer an open American alternative to cheap Chinese humanoids. In November 2025, having failed to find a lead investor, K-Scale shut down, laid off staff and refunded deposits; at least two units were reportedly shipped. Its founder explained: "I have not been able to find a lead investor", despite strong demand. ### Key takeaway An announcement not followed by large-scale delivery: K-Bot is an example of an affordable humanoid project halted for lack of funding. The designs were released as open source at closure.

Tags : Humanoïde, États-Unis, Open Source, Low-cost, Recherche