Humanoid Robot KAI Takes the Stage at START Hack

Representing the ZHAW Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Davos Tech Summit, PhD student Pascal Sager recently took the stage at the START Hack in St. Gallen. Pascal introduced the humanoid robot KAI to an audience of over 600 hackers, along with numerous visitors, mentors, and industry partners gathered for Europe's premier 36-hour coding competition.

During a half-hour halftime show, KAI entertained the crowd by performing various moves on stage. The robot even danced to a heavy beat—though the routine wasn't quite synchronized to the music.

Beyond the physical demonstration, Pascal delivered a presentation focused on the rapidly evolving field of robotics. He detailed the current progress being made in physical AI and shared insights into what we can expect from embodied intelligence in the near future. He also made a compelling case for why attendees should visit the Davos Tech Summit, scheduled for July 1–4, 2026. Billed under the theme "Touching Intelligence," the summit will bring together global leaders from science, business, and politics, featuring a temporary "robot city" to explore how advanced machines will soon act and interact within the physical world.

Overall, the live demonstration and presentation were highly successful. The audience showed immense interest in the technology behind KAI and the broader implications of physical AI. This enthusiasm has already generated real momentum, and follow-up discussions are currently taking place with several individuals eager to explore potential collaborations.