- Published on
Cartwheel Robotics Steps Out of Stealth, Aiming for 'Lovable' Humanoids
- Authors
- Name
- The Editorial Team
- @humanoidsdaily
Cartwheel Robotics Emerges From Stealth With a Focus on "Emotionally Intelligent" Humanoids
Cartwheel Robotics has officially stepped out of stealth mode, revealing its ambition to develop small, friendly humanoid robots designed for human interaction rather than industrial labor. Founded by Scott LaValley, a robotics veteran with experience at Boston Dynamics and Disney, Cartwheel aims to create robots that people can connect with, emphasizing personality and emotional intelligence.
A Different Path for Humanoids
The dominant trend in humanoid robotics currently centers on warehouse and factory applications, where machines are envisioned performing repetitive or physically demanding tasks. Cartwheel Robotics, however, is charting a different course. As reported by IEEE Spectrum, LaValley envisions robots that offer "joy, warmth, and a bit of everyday magic," moving beyond mere utility to become engaging presences in environments like homes, entertainment venues, and hospitality settings.
LaValley's background includes nearly a decade at Boston Dynamics working on the Atlas robots and five years at Disney, where he led the team behind the expressive Baby Groot robot. He told IEEE Spectrum that the contrasting reactions his children had to Atlas (fear) versus Baby Groot (delight) significantly shaped his current philosophy. "This is the type of experience I want to see robots delivering," LaValley stated, contrasting his vision with current commercial humanoids he described as potentially lacking personality or being "soulless tools."
Watch a video about the development of Baby Groot above
Meet Yogi and Speedy
Cartwheel has unveiled prototypes, including "Yogi," a small humanoid with what LaValley calls "toddler proportions"—a large head, rounded lines, and a slightly chubby build—designed to appear friendly and approachable. A LinkedIn post by LaValley described Yogi as "a small, emotionally intelligent humanoid designed not for factories — but for the real world," blending expressive personality and soft robotics.
A second prototype, "Speedy," is a less complex, customizable commercial platform intended for near-term applications. LaValley indicated to IEEE Spectrum that a version of Speedy is slated for a customer in the near future, potentially for character representation.
AI for Expressive Motion
To achieve the desired level of interaction and personality, Cartwheel is leveraging artificial intelligence. Esteve Valls Mascaró, a Senior AI Engineer at Cartwheel, shared on LinkedIn that the company is developing a "Motion Language Model (MLM)." This generative AI aims to produce "natural, diverse and personalized behaviors for Yogi," enabling real-time generation of dynamic movements like cartwheels, dances, and personalized gaits that convey feelings. A demonstration video showcases (see below!) Yogi performing various actions, including a cartwheel and different walking styles, in a simulated environment.
The Challenge of Social Home Robots
Creating commercially viable social robots, particularly legged humanoids for the home, presents significant hurdles. The history of social robotics is marked by high-profile attempts that struggled with cost and maintaining long-term user engagement. Cartwheel's humanoid approach adds layers of complexity, including motion planning, balance, and safety, especially in unpredictable home environments with children.
LaValley acknowledged these challenges to IEEE Spectrum, admitting, "I don’t have all the answers. There’s a lot to figure out." He suggested that the problem of integrating such robots into homes might not be solved in the next year, or even five, emphasizing a strategy of working with development partners to get robots into real-world scenarios.
Path to Market
Cartwheel Robotics has been operational for three years, initially funding its development through robotics engineering services for corporate clients and an initial funding round. The company plans to deliver variations of its Speedy platform to venues like museums and science centers over the next 12 months.
While commercial platforms are the starting point, the ultimate goal remains general-purpose companion robots for the home. "Our strategy is not to get to general purpose on day one, or even get into the home day one," LaValley told IEEE Spectrum. "But we’re working towards that goal. That’s our north star."
The company is positioning itself to create humanoids that humans will genuinely want in their daily lives, focusing on approachability, friendliness, and emotional connection. How Cartwheel navigates the technical, commercial, and societal challenges will be closely watched in the evolving landscape of humanoid robotics.
Read more: