Three-Person Robotics Startup Teams Up with Yves Béhar to Bring Humanoid Tech into Your Home
Inside Christoph Kohstall’s Gear‑Galore Garage
Picture a Palo Alto workshop that’s been overrun by brain‑child inventions. It’s like a sci‑fi set where every corner smells of solder and ambition.
What’s on the Left, Right, and Ceiling?
- Right side: a tower of electrical parts wearing neon lights—think a circuit board wearing a disco sheet.
- Left side: a workbench lined with machining tools that look like Rock‑and‑Roll‑instruments waiting to be struck.
- Ceiling: a gigantic red industrial girder. For anyone who’s spent a day in a robotics lab, it’s the classic gantry frame that keeps robots steady during the “O‑ops, I dropped a piece!” phase.
The Unexpected Ghost of a Robot Head
At the far end of this maze, the hint of a robot’s head barely peeks over Kohstall’s shoulder as he signs into the video call. When I ask if that ceiling‑mounted gantry is part of the tippy‑toppy bipedal test, he confirms. Then, in a twist more baffling than a sci‑fi plot, he says the team’s now trying something radically different: an $80 coat rack.
Kind Humanoid: Chaos with a Purpose
The real takeaway from Kind Humanoid’s cluttered laboratory is that Silicon Valley’s vintage, homemade computing spirit isn’t a thing of the past—just barely alive, kept alive by folks quick to tinker.
Watch the Playground
Videos shared by the startup carry the same energy as a kids’ science‑fair club—think an ’80s movie where two kids build a future robot. The prototypes look like Frankenstein lab pieces, a mash‑up of creativity and half‑finished dreams.
Meet Kind Humanoid – the Wild Side of Silicon Valley
At first glance, Kind Humanoid looks like a scene straight out of a sci‑fi comic. You get a mash‑up of tech wizardry, garage‑style tinkering, and a sprinkle of creative chaos. But underneath the curtain of glittery prototypes lies a story that’s as intriguing as it is unconventional.
Your Guide to the Story
- Kohstall’s Silicon Valley Roots: This isn’t your typical startup. The brain behind the latest robot tech, Kohstall, has boots on the ground in Palo Alto and a resume that reads “George of the Jungle” – spent an entire year on robotics within the now‑defunct Google Brain team.
- From Garage to Genius: In late 2022/early 2023, designer Yves Béhar – who’s practically a household name in the design world – stopped by Kohstall’s cramped garage. From there, the duo sparked a partnership that would quickly become the talk of the town.
- Three‑Person Powerhouse: Kind Humanoid isn’t a monolith; it’s a tight‑knit squad of three who’re turning their collective talents into a clear, daring brand – and they’ve already collected one starry champion in Yves.
Why We’re Puzzled…and What’s Next
When you first see a robot, you wonder if it’s going to take over the world or just finally answer your cat’s questions about the meaning of life. The mystery? Kind Humanoid feels both. Watch closely as the team mixes cutting‑edge hardware with a splash of creative spontaneity. The result? A robot that’s as friendly as your neighbor’s pet and as smart as a Turing‑original.
Stay Tuned!
The journey is still in its early chapters. Kaleidoscopic minds, Kevco‑enthusiasts, and a touch of teenage drive keep the story alive. Keep your eyes peeled for more from Kind Humanoid—a testament that even in Silicon Valley, the road to the future can be delightfully messy.
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Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
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What’s Captivating a Tech Junkie
“Right away, two things grabbed me,” he chuckles. “First, watching those robots pop out of a tiny lab—seeing body parts come alive from a 3‑D printer, with motors and actuators getting stitched inside. Second, the sheer speed and slickness that makes everything feel like an over‑the‑top sci‑fi film.”
The Curious Case of Béhar’s Humanoid
- What it looks like: A quirky blend of sharp angles and smooth curves—think of a chill “alien” robot dressed in creamy white with gentle corners.
- Hands & feet: The robot’s hands are unmistakably human‑like, but its feet? Picture a pair of robotic hooves that keep the biped steady with twin actuated joints.
- Head & neck: A diamond‑shaped helmet sits on an impossibly skinny neck, hinting at futuristic sophistication.
- The visor: A tiny, cloud‑inspired screen shows a cloudy blue sky—dreamy, almost movie‑like.
Why the Look is So Dreamy
Béhar’s design pulls a page from the mind of Belgian surrealist René Magritte. “We layer cloud backgrounds to hint at what this robot’s pondering—thinking? Reflecting? About to spit out a snappy answer?” he explains with a grin.
Faces are key to the feeling of intent and connection. How the bot orients its eyes and head signals what it’s feeling.
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Mark your calendar, register, and good luck—join us for a splash of creativity, speed, and a touch of surreal in one unforgettable robotics event.
Meet Mona: Kind Humanoid’s new home companion
Kind Humanoid has deliberately steered clear of the uncanny valley by designing Mona with a look that’s strikingly human‑friendly—think friendly robot rather than a creepy droid. Unlike the blocky, tank‑styled bots from the likes of Tesla and Figure, Mona’s form follows function, crafted for a cozy role as a home caretaker.
Why the home market first?
Most robo‑makers flock to factories and warehouses before home touch‑points. Here’s why Kind is doing the opposite:
Mona’s early adopters
The aging‑in‑place market is a warm‑up ground for advanced robotics, while most folks still see humanoids as warehouse alphas.
A Personal Note – Kind’s three‑person squad thrives on the quiet side of life, refusing the usual fundraising frenzy. Their vibe is almost an act of quiet defiance—think rent‑protection, not venture‑capital.
Why Mona feels like a friend
With Mona, Kind isn’t chasing the big profits of moving parts in a warehouse; they’re chasing the sentimental, practical need for “home robots” that keep family members safe and company. It might feel like a sci‑fi dream, but it’s exactly the kind of quiet, solid investment that could one day become the go‑to name for “home robot” services.
Kind Unveils the Next‑Gen Mona Robots
Meet Kind’s forthcoming crew—a cluster of smart machines ready to turn the field into a playground for tomorrow’s tech.
“Innovation Is a Wild Ride”
Kohstall, the chief behind Kind’s future lineup, reminds us that simply tossing money at a problem won’t spark the breakthrough. “You gotta experiment, stay lean, and plan ahead,” he says during a quick video call.
From DIY “Frankenbots” to Magritte‑inspired Masterpieces
- Kind’s plan is to roll out the first dozen Mona robots before next year’s field tests.
- It’s a bold leap, blending the raw DIY spirit from early demos with the dreamier, art‑inspired side of Béhar’s vision.
- What started as a digital skeleton has evolved into a more finished shell—thanks to some spray‑paint magic on the floor.
Brush‑Stroke Tech: From Ground to Factory
The prototype’s skeletal, sinewy look is the same quirk we see in Kind’s livestreams. Kohstall explains, “Most parts are injection moldable, so they’re safe for mass production and cost‑efficient.”
