People's Daily Front Page Spotlight: Direct Drive Tech D1 Robot – A New Benchmark in Embodied Intelligence
June 14, 2026

On June 13, People's Daily published a special feature on its front page titled "Accelerating the Transition of Research Achievements from Labs to Production Lines." The report highlighted Direct Drive Tech's D1 modular robot, commending its practical approach to leveraging embodied intelligence technology for the highly efficient commercialization of research outcomes.

As a platform technology company specializing in embodied robotics, Direct Drive Tech adheres to a low-key and pragmatic R&D philosophy. Founded by Zhang Di, a student of Professor Zexiang Li from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the company is deeply committed to the direct-drive technology and embodied intelligence sectors. The D1 robot, which recently received this spotlight from state media, stands as a benchmark of the company's embodied intelligence capabilities.

The D1 robot features an innovative modular design that allows for assembly and disassembly in just 3 seconds, enabling seamless transitions between bipedal and quadrupedal configurations. Much like "Transformers," it can adapt to a wide variety of scenarios. Backed by the robust supply chain of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the team has rapidly achieved full-chain implementation from R&D and prototyping to mass production. Currently, the robot is undergoing testing for complex applications such as short-haul transportation and firefighting rescue, continuously expanding the boundaries of robotic applications.

From the HKUST laboratories to the Songshan Lake Industrial Base, Direct Drive Tech's team has remained dedicated to advancing fundamental robotics technologies and the embodied intelligence field since its inception. The company is focused on developing high-performance, highly adaptable general-purpose robotic products and technology platforms. Through these efforts, Direct Drive Tech aims to drive quality upgrades in the sci-tech industry and contribute its innovative strength to the development of China's intelligent robotics sector and the steady advancement of the country's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.

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