It can be difficult to know where to direct your attention when speaking with Christoph Kohstall, as his cluttered Palo Alto garage is filled with fascinating projects. To his right is a towering array of electrical components, illuminated by blinking LEDs, and to his left, a workbench strewn with machining tools.
Above, a red industrial girder stretches across the ceiling, unmistakably a gantry system utilized for stabilizing robots during testing.
At the far end of the garage, the top of a robot head is just visible, peeking over Kohstall’s shoulder as he prepares for our conversation. When I ask if the gantry system is being used to test a bipedal robot, he confirms it is, then adds with a grin that the team has recently shifted to a more unconventional testing aid: an $80 coat rack.
One thing becomes clear as I observe the organized chaos of Kind Humanoid’s workspace: while the spirit of Silicon Valley’s homebrew computing scene may have waned, it is far from extinguished.
Videos shared by the robotics startup reflect this same adventurous spirit. The early prototypes of Kind’s Mona robot look as if they've been assembled from spare parts, reminiscent of a prop from an ’80s film featuring kids building a robot for a science fair.
At first glance, Kohstall’s eclectic workspace conflicts with his impressive Silicon Valley background, including a recent stint with the now-defunct Google Brain team focused on robotics.
Recently, Kind Humanoid secured the endorsement of Yves Béhar, a renowned designer who first visited Kohstall’s garage in late 2022. “I was captivated by two things,” he remarks. “Firstly, witnessing robots take shape in such a small lab, with body parts emerging from a 3D printer, motors being attached, and actuators fitted into these components. Secondly, I was inspired by the efficiency and speed of their process.”
Earlier this month, Kind unveiled Béhar’s striking designs for a humanoid robot, which present an intriguing fusion of angles and shapes as whimsical as the robotics themselves. The robot is adorned in soft white, featuring rounded edges, as if someone were tasked with crafting a human-like figure using a collaborative industrial arm.
Its end effectors resemble human hands, while its feet carry a distinctive hoof-like look. On closer examination, these feet reveal actuated joints that provide stability for the bipedal design. A diamond-shaped head perches atop a slender neck, and to add to the robot's quirky charm, a small visor-like screen displays a serene blue sky.
This surreal aesthetic was inspired by Belgian painter René Magritte. “We incorporate background images of clouds to convey the robot's intent and emotional state—whether it’s pondering, reflecting, or ready to share an interesting or humorous response,” Béhar explains. “The robot's face plays a crucial role in establishing connection and intent.”
The design team deliberately opted for a less human-like appearance, steering clear of the uncanny valley effect. This design strategy also stands in stark contrast to the more clinical, uniform designs seen in robots from companies like Tesla and Figure. In this case, the design closely aligns with Kind's vision of Mona functioning as a home caretaker.
While many humanoid manufacturers are focused on industrial applications with future aspirations for home use, Kind is strategically positioning its efforts toward in-home support. Kohstall observes, “The industrial market is overcrowded, and ironically, the argument for humanoid robots isn't as compelling there. Specialized robots already serve many industrial needs. Humanoids will truly shine in diverse environments, like navigating stairs or cluttered spaces.”
Potential early adopters could include care facilities and residences for older adults, as the market for aging in place remains largely untapped. Most current commercial efforts focus on integrating humanoids into warehouses and factories.
Despite the ambitious goals, it feels like a distant reality. Perhaps this stems from Kind's refreshing disregard for traditional fundraising routes, a surprising approach in Silicon Valley.
“Our focus is on innovation,” Kohstall asserts, “and that's not something solved simply by infusing cash. It requires experimentation, capital efficiency, and thoughtful planning.”
He reveals that the team is currently building a dozen prototypes of the Mona robot, with plans for field tests early next year. This ambition matches the surreal aspirations reflected in Béhar’s designs. I point to the robot behind Kohstall, recognizing the considerable gap between the early DIY frankenbots featured in their videos and the polished Magritte-inspired designs.
Kohstall mentions that the sinewy robots we see in their videos represent the first prototype. He moves the call outside, where team members are spray-painting components of the robot's outer shell—bringing the design closer to Béhar’s vision.
“Most parts are injection moldable,” Kohstall explains, “allowing us to create them efficiently and economically.”
The journey of Kind Humanoid is a compelling testament to innovation in robotics, with an eye on transforming the future of caregiving.
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