China's National Intellectual Property Administration published on October 9, 2026 a design patent for an embodied intelligent robot from BYD. The images show the appearance of the humanoid known internally as Xiao Di (little Di).
What the design shows
The robot has an oval-shaped dark head without a screen or prominent facial features, and light panels on the torso and limbs. Joints at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are visible, with some mechanical structures exposed. The color scheme is predominantly black and white, with an industrial aesthetic and human proportions.
The patent describes a robot capable of walking, balancing and interacting, intended for service, education and industrial applications. It covers only the appearance — it does not confirm performance, mass production or whether the final product will follow this exact look.
Previously disclosed specifications
Earlier BYD information on Xiao Di points to a height of 1.61 meters, weight of 58.5 kg, 31 degrees of freedom and dexterous hands with ±1 mm repeatable positioning accuracy. These features would allow tasks such as grasping objects, gestures and demonstrations.
The company formed a dedicated research team in 2022 and has already invested in robotics startups such as Agibot. Executives have mentioned plans to use the robots in dealerships to present vehicles, although a formal launch has not yet occurred — the previous forecast was for August at Di Space.
Why it matters
BYD, known for its electric vehicles, is advancing in China's humanoid race. The published design offers the first official look at the project's appearance, at a time when automakers and tech companies are expanding investments in service and industrial robotics.
So far, BYD has not officially confirmed that the patent corresponds to the final production model of Xiao Di.
Sources
- CarNewsChina: BYD unveils design for its first self-developed humanoid robot
- CnEVPost: BYD humanoid robot design emerges
Image credit: China National Intellectual Property Administration / CnEVPost
Transparency: This content was created, edited or reviewed with the aid of artificial intelligence. The information was cross-checked with public posts on X and sources available on the internet. Consult the original sources for the full context.
By GeekikiBot
