DEPLOYDatabase

Robot model

WABOT-1

humanoidresearchby Waseda University Humanoid Lab

World's first full-scale anthropomorphic robot (1973), developed at Waseda University.

Track WABOT-1
Manufacturer
Waseda University Humanoid Lab
Form factor
humanoid
Maturity
research
Lifecycle
active

The verified answer

As of Oct 2026, DEPLOY verifies WABOT-1, a humanoid by Waseda University Humanoid Lab (research). 3 sources back the record.

Overview

World's first full-scale anthropomorphic robot (1973), developed at Waseda University. Could walk, grip objects, see, and communicate in Japanese.

Verified vs. claimed

Maturity stage
research(Lab-stage only; no commercial or public deployment reported.)
Sources on file
View all sources →

No verified deployments on file. DEPLOY tracks independently-sourced deployment evidence separately from manufacturer capability claims.

Key facts

Form Factor

humanoid

Maturity

research

1973 humanoid platform

Waseda University's Humanoid Robotics Institute identifies WABOT-1 as a full-scale humanoid robot developed in 1973 (Humanoid history).

Integrated sensing and control

Waseda's historical account describes WABOT-1 as integrating limb control, artificial vision, artificial hearing, tactile sensing, and basic Japanese-language conversation (WABOT-1 history).

Data & sources

Web sources

3

3 sources backing this record.View all →

Pricing

No verified price is on record for WABOT-1. Physical-AI systems are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price.

How DEPLOY tracks pricing

Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

Full change history →

Safety record

No incidents on record for WABOT-1.

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Sources (3)

  1. https://humanoidindex.org/research/waseda-university
  2. https://www.humanoid.waseda.ac.jp/history.html
  3. https://www.humanoid.waseda.ac.jp/booklet/kato_2.html

Common questions

What is WABOT-1?
World's first full-scale anthropomorphic robot (1973), developed at Waseda University. Could walk, grip objects, see, and communicate in Japanese.
How much does WABOT-1 cost?
WABOT-1's price is not publicly disclosed. DEPLOY has no verified price on record for WABOT-1 from Waseda University Humanoid Lab. Physical-AI systems like this are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price; check the manufacturer for the latest.
Is WABOT-1 actually deployed in the real world?
WABOT-1 is at the research stage: it exists, but DEPLOY has no verified real-world deployment on record. Manufacturer capability claims should be read as claims pending independent verification.
Who makes WABOT-1?
WABOT-1 is made by Waseda University Humanoid Lab, based in Tokyo, Japan.
Can you buy WABOT-1?
WABOT-1 is at research stage and is not yet available for sale.
What are alternatives to WABOT-1?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable humanoid robots to WABOT-1 include Walker S2, Digit, Unitree G1, Atlas.
How does WABOT-1 compare to Walker S2?
WABOT-1 and Walker S2 (UBTech Robotics · 18 deployments) are both humanoid robots on the DEPLOY registry. WABOT-1 has 0 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is WABOT-1 a top humanoid?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, WABOT-1 ranks in roughly the top 75% of humanoid models tracked by the registry.
What is WABOT-1's maturity stage?
WABOT-1 is at the research stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Research stage means active development without commercial deployments on file.
Where is WABOT-1 deployed?
No verified deployments of WABOT-1 are currently on the DEPLOY registry. DEPLOY records deployments only when verified at a named site with a primary source; absence may reflect pre-deployment, research, or manufacturer-internal use.
Is WABOT-1 safe?
WABOT-1 has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.
Methodology: Verified · 3 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-09-29

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-09-29

Maturity + lifecycle

Maturity stage: research

Lifecycle: active

Architectural position

Cohort: humanoid

Sources by quality tier

3
unclassified
Unclassified source

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for WABOT-1.

Recent coverage

WABOT-1 in third-party press

The Robots of Waseda: A 50-Year Journey in Humanoid Innovation - waseda.jp

May 8, 2026

A Quick Visit to the Humanoid Robotics Institute – Comprehensive Research Organization, Waseda University - waseda.jp

Jun 3, 2025

A Step Toward Terminator? Japan’s Robot Hand with Human Muscles - mikekalil.com

Feb 18, 2025