Video: Compact humanoid robot opens door to building custom robot skills easily

Chinese firm Zeroth has launched Bridge, which it describes as the world’s first AI-native embodied robot, alongside OpenBridge, an open-source ecosystem for embodied intelligence. The Suzhou-based company said the platform is designed to support real-world robot development through an AI-native architecture, compact humanoid form, and open developer interfaces. The first batch of Bridge Geek Edition units is now available for purchase, giving developers access to the company’s latest embodied robotics platform. Zeroth has also introduced the Bridge Builder program, inviting developers worldwide to create and contribute new robot capabilities through the Openbridge ecosystem. Open-source platform Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Suzhou, China, Zeroth develops embodied AI systems, motion-control technologies, and robotic products for consumer and real-world applications. Bridge is the company’s latest effort to bring those technologies into a developer-focused platform. Bridge is a compact humanoid robot designed around an AI-native architecture, alongside OpenBridge, an open-source ecosystem aimed at letting developers build and share capabilities for embodied robots. Standing 34.65 inches (88 centimeters) tall and weighing about 28 pounds (13 kilograms), Bridge is designed as a lightweight, desktop-friendly humanoid. It has 12–16 inches (30–40 cm) arms, two-finger grippers, and a compact form factor intended to make physical AI development more accessible. Unlike conventional robots that rely heavily on fixed, pre-programmed motions, Bridge is designed around an AI-native software and hardware stack. Zeroth says its motion system and developer interfaces support physical interaction and adaptable behaviors rather than limiting the robot to predefined sequences. The robot includes bipedal walking, obstacle avoidance, and a library of human-like movements and choreography. “Engineered with fully proprietary, high-torque actuator modules, Bridge packs serious performance into a frame—capable of everything from dynamic locomotion and backflips to full-body teleoperation,” reads the description of a video the firm posted on YouTube. Developers can also access software development kits (SDKs), open motion-control APIs and motion-capture and virtual-reality integration tools. These interfaces are intended to allow developers to deploy their own algorithms, tune the robot for specific scenarios and create new physical skills. Advancing robot development OpenBridge forms the software and community layer around the robot. The open-source ecosystem provides unified development tools, shared training resources, and a public Skill Hub where developers can contribute and share capabilities. The approach is designed to make robot skills more reusable, allowing developers to build on capabilities created by others rather than developing every behavior from scratch. Zeroth is also using the Bridge Builder Program to expand participation in the platform. The first phase will shortlist 500 developers for a co-creation challenge. Of these, 200 will receive complimentary access to Bridge and participate in OpenBridge development. The remaining 300 developers will receive priority purchase access to the Bridge Geek Edition, SDK access, and eligibility for future program opportunities. According to the firm, the combination of an AI-native robot and an open development stack reflects a broader shift in robotics toward platforms where software, rather than hardware alone, determines what a robot can do. It says Bridge is intended to provide developers with an accessible physical platform for experimenting with embodied AI. In contrast, OpenBridge provides the tools and community infrastructure needed to develop, train, and distribute new robotic capabilities. The Bridge Geek Edition is now available for global booking, while Zeroth has also opened its Bridge Builder Program for developers to participate in testing and developing the platform. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse, travel, and teach languages.