
First industrial humanoid with IP66 certificate
The Chinese company Deep Robotics presented a fresh model of a humanoid robot called DR02, which, according to the manufacturer, is the first industrial robot of this kind with an IP66 certificate. This means that the device is completely dust resistant and withstands the direct action of strong water streams, including the rain. The IP66 certificate is based on an global standard developed by the global Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
In practice, this allows for the usage of DR02 under conditions that have been considered to be detrimental to robots so far, for example erstwhile patrolling outdoors in the rain, in strong wind or in industrial environments with advanced dust content.
Technical parameters and scope of applications
DR02 has a structure akin to the average adult male – it measures 175 cm tall and its dimension is 68 cm. The robot can operate in a wide scope of temperatures – from minus 20°C to plus 55°C. Thanks to this, it is able to decision freely between different environments, specified as the industrial cold store and the square in front of the cold store exposed to summertime heats, without the request to interrupt operation.
Deep Robotics emphasizes that DR02 has been designed primarily for industrial applications, including inspections, logistics and safety tasks. Its opposition to atmospheric conditions makes it peculiarly useful in sectors where working outdoors or in hard environmental conditions is everyday – specified as energy, mining or transport.
Development strategy of Chinese technology companies
Deep Robotics, founded in 2017 in Hangzhou, previously gained designation thanks to four-legged inspection robots used, among others, in monitoring energy infrastructure. The company is presently entering the humanoid marketplace – a section that is developing dynamically in China.
Chinese technology companies usage the experience and supply chains developed in the automotive sector, including engines, sensors and control systems, to build advanced robots. This allows them to rapidly scale production and reduce costs.
Competition in the humanoid marketplace in China is growing. In July 2025, UBtech Robotics presented the Walker S2 model, which offers the anticipation to replace batteries without interruption of operation – a solution aimed at ensuring continuity in industrial environments.
Such innovations point to intense competition for technological advantage and marketplace share, which, according to analytical forecasts, can scope the value of respective twelve billion dollars over the next decade.
The importance of environmental resilience in future robotics
So far most humanoids have been designed to work in controlled indoor environments – production halls, laboratories or logistics centers. The introduction of a robot capable of working outdoors in rain, dust or utmost temperatures importantly extends the spectrum of possible applications.

Resistance to external factors may be crucial in the case of natural disasters, where robots could support rescue operations, or in agriculture, where action in changing weather conditions is necessary. In addition, in the energy sector, especially erstwhile maintaining solar or wind power plants, these features can importantly improve the efficiency of operations.
Development prospects
Although DR02 is presently presented as a prototype or a pre-implement version, its method features may constitute a benchmark for future generations of industrial robots. Deep Robotics did not uncover details of the price, commercialisation dates or the exact specifications of the drive or AI system. However, the fact that the company – previously known for quadruped robots – enters the humanoid marketplace shows a strategical shift towards more universal work platforms.
In the context of global technological competition between China and the US, the improvement of advanced robotic systems is not only an economical issue but besides an component of a broad safety strategy and technological independence.
Source:
- Nikkei Asia – China’s Deep Robotics debuts ‘all-weather’ humanoid robot, https://asia.nikkei.com/business/china-tech/china-s-deep-robotics-debuts-all-weather-humanoid-robot
- International Electronic Commission – IP Code (Ingress Protection Rating), https://www.iec.ch
- Bloomberg – China’s Humanoid Robot Race Heats Up as Startups mark Industrial Use, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-15/china-humanoid-robot-startups-target-industrial-market
- IEEE Spectrum – The emergence of All-Weather Robots in Industrial Automation, https://spectrum.ieee.org/all-weather-robots-industrial-automation-2025

Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
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