Sanctuary AI Phoenix
Canadian general-purpose humanoid with hydraulic dexterous hands on a wheeled base, now mainly a research and data platform for Sanctuary AI's robot software.
Not sold; in June 2026 Sanctuary refocused on AI software for existing industrial robots and describes full humanoids as a long-term goal.
Decent humanoid robot (59/100). It stands out most for dexterous hands (99/100). Highlight: 21-dof hydraulic hands. Main trade-off: not commercially available.
Score breakdown
Rated across 6 criteria
Specifications
- Availability
- Prototype
- Hand DoF (per hand)
- 21
- Locomotion
- Wheeled
- Main use
- General-purpose
- Made in
- Canada
- Year
- 2024
Specs checked September 2026. Sources: sanctuary.ai, sanctuary.ai, sanctuary.ai, sanctuary.ai, sanctuary.ai, humanoid.guide. A missing value has not been published by the maker.
Pros
- 21-DoF hydraulic hands
- Fingertip tactile sensing
- Stable wheeled base
Cons
- Not commercially available
- Company pivoted to software
- No recent published specs
Owner reviews
A capable humanoid robot with a few compromises to weigh
In our independent assessment, the Sanctuary AI Phoenix earns 59/100 — a decent humanoid robot.
Its strongest area is dexterous hands (99/100), followed by availability (52/100). In practice, 21-dof hydraulic hands.
The main caveat is availability, where it scores 52/100. Specifically, not commercially available.
Worth a look if its price or specific features fit your needs.
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Sign in to write a reviewFrequently asked questions
Can I actually buy a humanoid robot?
Yes, but mostly research and developer models (Unitree, Booster, EngineAI and others) that ship today. Most general-purpose humanoids are still in paid pilots, pre-order or prototype: check the Availability line before you plan around one.
How much does a humanoid robot cost?
Small developer humanoids start at a few thousand euros; full-size research platforms start around 17,000 € and advanced ones reach about 100,000 € or more. Industrial humanoids are usually sold or leased on quote, so no public price is listed.
What can humanoids do today?
Current models walk, balance, carry modest payloads and perform scripted, learned or teleoperated tasks. Fully autonomous household help is still emerging.
What do degrees of freedom (DoF) tell me?
Each DoF is one joint axis the robot can move. More DoF, especially in the hands, means more dexterous manipulation, but also more to calibrate and maintain.
Do they come with an SDK?
Research-focused humanoids ship with an open SDK or ROS support for programming and experiments; commercial units are typically locked to the vendor's software.
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