CATL Battery Progress

CATL Battery Progress 

New EV Battery Aims to Last Shocking Amount of Miles for Less Money

CATL’s new innovation is redefining how many miles an EV battery can last while simultaneously reducing costs and increasing safety.

Longevity advantages of the new Naxtra battery
The world’s largest battery company, CATL, has designed its new electric vehicle (EV) battery made from salt to last up to 3.6 million miles. This product, officially named Naxtra, is the world’s first mass-produced sodium-ion battery. The battery was initially announced in April, but information about its range has started to emerge.

CATL’s Naxtra costs just 10% of a lithium-ion unit’s price, and its design, lending itself to slow deterioration, may help retain 85% of its charging capacity after 3.6 million miles. Sodium-ion batteries are viewed as a viable replacement for lithium-ion batteries, given salt’s prevalence and leaving clean drinking water after mining salt water. However, earlier attempts at leveraging the design fell short, as they only offered half the power of a lithium-ion battery’s 185 Wh of energy for every kilogram of weight. CATL’s battery incorporates some lithium-ion cells to create a combined system that balances the two chemistries and operates more effectively in extreme temperatures. In turn, Naxtra is expected to exceed 10,000 cycles before degrading.

Batteries lasting more charge cycles could also help decrease fire risks associated with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), as degraded batteries getting charged to 100% have a higher likelihood of experiencing thermal issues. In an interview with Autoblog, transportation risk mitigation expert William S. Lerner noted, “Once you get into a plug-in hybrid, what you’re doing is you’re adding an electrical current from the charger to the vehicle. There’s roughly a 20-30% chance that something is going to happen when the vehicle is plugged in either on the charger or the vehicle end. When you start charging the vehicles, people don’t obey the charge to 80% rule, and the problem then becomes that the batteries are depreciating assets. Just like your mobile phone, it will last 600-2000 cycles, but after that, it starts degrading, and when it starts degrading, the average tendency is to top it off even more to keep it at 100%.”

A closer look at what Naxtra’s price means for EV buyers

Price is a significant factor defining the CATL Naxtra battery’s appeal. The cost of lithium-ion batteries is $100/kWh, and it took years of refining to reach this price. In contrast, the Naxtra battery costs $10/kWh, and the average battery capacity in 2025 is 70 kWh. For example, a Tesla Model Y Long Range or Model Y Performance comes with a 75.00 kWh battery. Naxtra achieves an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, just behind the 185 Wh/kg of average EV lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.

Final thoughts 

Naxtra is currently being developed for six major Chinese automakers’ 2026 models. Sales of Chinese EVs have significantly increased in recent years, and combining these lower initial costs with a battery that could last up to 3.6 million miles or over 10,000 cycles could be revolutionary. By comparison, Tesla’s lithium iron phosphate batteries typically last 3,000 to 4,000 charge cycles before capacity degrades below the 70-80% threshold.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/new-ev-battery-aims-to-last-shocking-amount-of-miles-for-less-money

OPEN SOURCE HUMANOID ROBOTS 

Humanoid Robot Hsrdware should be available for $99, $249.99, $499.99, $749.99, $999.99 for consumers & Commercial or Military Grade $999.99 - $10,000+ unlike fixed place automation robots or robot arms + conveyors or carts & warehouse bots

Software & access to server space should be above or a subscription with basic minimal then access to advanced features

Canadian Dollar Reference 

Own a Humanoid Robot for $1,000? : Kscale Labs is Making It Possible

11:02 am June 22, 2025 By Julian Horsey

What if owning a humanoid robot wasn’t just the domain of tech giants or research institutions, but something you could achieve for the price of a mid-range smartphone? It sounds like science fiction, but thanks to Kscale Labs, it’s now a reality. For just $1,000, you can bring home a fully functional, open source humanoid robot—one that’s not locked behind proprietary systems or inaccessible price tags. This bold move is shaking up the robotics industry, challenging the status quo, and opening doors for developers, hobbyists, and researchers alike. Imagine the possibilities: a robot you can customize, upgrade, and program without restrictions, all while contributing to a global community pushing the boundaries of innovation.

In this overview, DEMi explores how Kscale Labs is transforming the robotics landscape with their affordable and modular designs, designed for everyone from curious tinkerers to seasoned engineers. You’ll discover the unique features of their flagship robots, the Kbot and Zbot, and how their open source philosophy is fostering a collaborative ecosystem. We’ll also delve into the innovative technologies, like reinforcement learning and simulation tools, that make these robots smarter and more adaptable. Whether you’re dreaming of building the next breakthrough in robotics or simply want to experiment with an accessible platform, this is a story about more than just machines—it’s about providing widespread access to the future of humanoid technology.

TL;DR Key Takeaways :

• Kscale Labs is transforming robotics with the world’s first truly open source humanoid robots, promoting accessibility and collaboration in the field.

• The company offers two modular and affordable robots: Kbot ($9,000) for advanced research and Zbot ($1,000) for hobbyists and developers.

• Reinforcement learning and simulation tools like Mujoco enable smarter, adaptive robots and streamline the development process.

• Low-cost components (e.g., Raspberry Pi, CAN bus controllers) and a Python SDK make robotics development more accessible and cost-effective.

• Kscale Labs fosters a global community through hackathons, open source contributions, and developer-friendly tools, driving innovation and collaboration.

What if owning a humanoid robot wasn’t just the domain of tech giants or research institutions, but something you could achieve for the price of a mid-range smartphone? It sounds like science fiction, but thanks to Kscale Labs, it’s now a reality. For just $1,000, you can bring home a fully functional, open source humanoid robot—one that’s not locked behind proprietary systems or inaccessible price tags. This bold move is shaking up the robotics industry, challenging the status quo, and opening doors for developers, hobbyists, and researchers alike. Imagine the possibilities: a robot you can customize, upgrade, and program without restrictions, all while contributing to a global community pushing the boundaries of innovation.

In this overview, DEMi explores how Kscale Labs is transforming the robotics landscape with their affordable and modular designs, designed for everyone from curious tinkerers to seasoned engineers. You’ll discover the unique features of their flagship robots, the Kbot and Zbot, and how their open source philosophy is fostering a collaborative ecosystem. We’ll also delve into the innovative technologies, like reinforcement learning and simulation tools, that make these robots smarter and more adaptable. Whether you’re dreaming of building the next breakthrough in robotics or simply want to experiment with an accessible platform, this is a story about more than just machines—it’s about providing widespread access to the future of humanoid technology.

Open Source Humanoid Robotics

TL;DR Key Takeaways :

• Kscale Labs is transforming robotics with the world’s first truly open source humanoid robots, promoting accessibility and collaboration in the field.

• The company offers two modular and affordable robots: Kbot ($9,000) for advanced research and Zbot ($1,000) for hobbyists and developers.

• Reinforcement learning and simulation tools like Mujoco enable smarter, adaptive robots and streamline the development process.

• Low-cost components (e.g., Raspberry Pi, CAN bus controllers) and a Python SDK make robotics development more accessible and cost-effective.

• Kscale Labs fosters a global community through hackathons, open source contributions, and developer-friendly tools, driving innovation and collaboration.

Affordable and Modular Robots for Diverse Users

Kscale Labs offers two flagship products designed to meet the needs of different user groups: the Kbot and the Zbot.

– Kbot: A full-sized humanoid robot priced at $9,000, tailored for advanced research and development purposes.

– Zbot: A smaller, more affordable alternative priced at $1,000, ideal for hobbyists and developers seeking a customizable and accessible platform.

Both robots are built with modularity at their core, allowing you to easily replace or upgrade components. This design philosophy not only reduces costs but also encourages experimentation, allowing you to test new configurations and explore innovative applications. Whether you are conducting innovative research or pursuing robotics as a hobby, these robots provide a flexible and scalable solution.

What if owning a humanoid robot wasn’t just the domain of tech giants or research institutions, but something you could achieve for the price of a mid-range smartphone? It sounds like science fiction, but thanks to Kscale Labs, it’s now a reality. For just $1,000, you can bring home a fully functional, open source humanoid robot—one that’s not locked behind proprietary systems or inaccessible price tags. This bold move is shaking up the robotics industry, challenging the status quo, and opening doors for developers, hobbyists, and researchers alike. Imagine the possibilities: a robot you can customize, upgrade, and program without restrictions, all while contributing to a global community pushing the boundaries of innovation.

In this overview, DEMi explores how Kscale Labs is transforming the robotics landscape with their affordable and modular designs, designed for everyone from curious tinkerers to seasoned engineers. You’ll discover the unique features of their flagship robots, the Kbot and Zbot, and how their open source philosophy is fostering a collaborative ecosystem. We’ll also delve into the innovative technologies, like reinforcement learning and simulation tools, that make these robots smarter and more adaptable. Whether you’re dreaming of building the next breakthrough in robotics or simply want to experiment with an accessible platform, this is a story about more than just machines—it’s about providing widespread access to the future of humanoid technology.

Open Source Humanoid Robotics

TL;DR Key Takeaways :

• Kscale Labs is transforming robotics with the world’s first truly open source humanoid robots, promoting accessibility and collaboration in the field.

• The company offers two modular and affordable robots: Kbot ($9,000) for advanced research and Zbot ($1,000) for hobbyists and developers.

• Reinforcement learning and simulation tools like Mujoco enable smarter, adaptive robots and streamline the development process.

• Low-cost components (e.g., Raspberry Pi, CAN bus controllers) and a Python SDK make robotics development more accessible and cost-effective.

• Kscale Labs fosters a global community through hackathons, open source contributions, and developer-friendly tools, driving innovation and collaboration.

Affordable and Modular Robots for Diverse Users

Kscale Labs offers two flagship products designed to meet the needs of different user groups: the Kbot and the Zbot.

– Kbot: A full-sized humanoid robot priced at $9,000, tailored for advanced research and development purposes.

– Zbot: A smaller, more affordable alternative priced at $1,000, ideal for hobbyists and developers seeking a customizable and accessible platform.

Both robots are built with modularity at their core, allowing you to easily replace or upgrade components. This design philosophy not only reduces costs but also encourages experimentation, allowing you to test new configurations and explore innovative applications. Whether you are conducting innovative research or pursuing robotics as a hobby, these robots provide a flexible and scalable solution.

Reinforcement Learning and Simulation: Smarter Robots

To enhance the capabilities of their robots, Kscale Labs integrates reinforcement learning into their systems. This advanced technology enables robots to adapt to real-world scenarios by training in simulation environments such as Mujoco. These virtual settings allow you to test and refine algorithms in a controlled environment before deploying them on physical robots. This approach results in a more efficient development process, saving both time and resources while making sure that the robots are prepared to handle complex, real-world tasks. By using simulation tools, you can accelerate innovation and achieve higher levels of performance in your robotics projects.

K-labs prioritizes affordability without compromising on functionality. Their robots are constructed using low-cost components such as Raspberry Pi systems, CAN bus motor controllers, and budget-friendly actuators. These hardware components are complemented by a Python SDK, which simplifies the development and deployment of applications. This combination of accessible hardware and user-friendly software enables you to innovate without the financial or technical constraints often associated with proprietary systems. By lowering the cost of entry, Kscale Labs is allowing a wider audience to participate in the advancement of humanoid robotics

A cornerstone of Kscale Labs’ mission is its commitment to fostering a global community of developers and researchers. The company actively supports this community through initiatives such as:

• Hackathons that encourage creative problem-solving and innovation.

• Open source contributions that promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Developer-friendly tools that reduce barriers to entry and simplify the development process.

By engaging with this ecosystem, you can contribute to the collective advancement of humanoid robotics while benefiting from the shared expertise of a diverse and global network. This collaborative approach accelerates progress and ensures that the technology evolves to address a wide range of applications and challenges.

A Vision for the Future of Robotics

Kscale Labs envisions a future where humanoid robots are as commonplace and versatile as smartphones. Inspired by the success of the Android ecosystem, the company aims to commoditize humanoid robotics hardware, making it accessible to all. Beyond individual products, Kscale Labs is working toward the development of a platform for embodied artificial general intelligence (AGI). These robots are designed to be energy-efficient and adaptable, aligning with global goals for sustainability and technological advancement. By focusing on accessibility and innovation, Kscale Labs is paving the way for a future where humanoid robots play a significant role in society.

Leadership Rooted in Expertise

The vision and direction of Kscale Labs are guided by its founder, Benjamin Bolty, whose extensive experience in robotics and artificial intelligence drives the company’s mission. Bolty has contributed to high-profile projects such as Tesla’s Autopilot, the Optimus humanoid robot, and AI research at Facebook and Google. His leadership combines technical expertise with a passion for making robotics accessible to a broader audience. Under his guidance, Kscale Labs is positioned as a leader in the open source robotics movement, shaping the future of the industry.

Key Features at a Glance

• Modular design that supports easy customization and cost efficiency.

• Integration of reinforcement learning for adaptive and intelligent performance.

• Use of affordable components, including Raspberry Pi and CAN bus systems.

• Python SDK and simulation tools like Mujoco for streamlined development.

• A global, community-driven approach to innovation and collaboration.

https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/affordable-humanoid-robot-2025/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iCNY4kxNkqc&pp=ygUTU3lsdmFuIGxhbGUgdG9ybmFkbw%3D%3D

S.B.G & CIG