Sanctuary AI: Who stands behind Phoenix and its events

Written by ROBOTio Team · · 6 min read

Article summary

Sanctuary AI developed the humanoid Phoenix with hydraulic hands. It cannot be rented for events in Czechia. Discover why and what alternatives ROBOTio offers.

Sanctuary AI is a Canadian company from Vancouver that has developed the humanoid Phoenix with hydraulic arms and tactile sensing over eight generations. However, it cannot be ordered for events in Czechia or Europe: the robot was never sold commercially, and the company now sells primarily software for third-party industrial robots. ROBOTio does not hire it. For corporate events, we offer [Unitree G1](https://robotio.eu/unitree-g1-basic) and H2 from our own fleet, always with operators. ## Who is behind Sanctuary AI Sanctuary AI is based in Vancouver and was founded in 2018. Its official name is Sanctuary Cognitive Systems. The company's goal is to create a universal humanoid powered by artificial intelligence that can perform a wide range of tasks, not just one narrow function. Among its investors and partners are companies such as Magna, Accenture and Microsoft. With Magna, the company planned to manufacture Phoenixes and deploy them in factories. With Microsoft, it collaborates on Azure cloud and behavioural models. However, the company has also faced setbacks. In November 2024, co-founder and CEO Geordie Rose departed and the company laid off approximately 30 employees. As of June 2026, it has been led by Daniel Friedmann. You can find further information about the brand on the [Sanctuary AI brand](https://robotio.eu/brands/sanctuary-ai) page. ## Phoenix: what the robot can do and how it evolved Phoenix is a 170 cm tall humanoid weighing 70 kg with a payload capacity of 25 kg. Its main strength is its hydraulic hands with tactile sensing. The latest versions feature 21 degrees of freedom. In April 2026, the company demonstrated object manipulation in the hand without prior training for the specific task (so-called zero-shot). Development has gone through several stages: - **5th generation:** first commercial pilot in Mark's store in Langley, January to March 2023. - **6th generation:** introduced on 16 May 2023 as Phoenix with the Carbon system. - **7th generation:** April 2024, greater range of wrist and hand movement, more compact hydraulics. - **8th generation:** January 2025, wheeled base instead of legs, optimised for data collection. The company itself stated that two legs are too fragile for a strong torso and a wheeled base is better for collecting high-quality data. For events, this is a significant change. A robot that moves on wheels does not have the same visual impact on stage or among guests as a walking humanoid. Detailed specifications can be found on the [Sanctuary Phoenix](https://robotio.eu/sanctuary-phoenix) model page. Some data, such as battery capacity or total degrees of freedom, have not been disclosed by the manufacturer. ## Carbon and the shift towards software Phoenix is controlled by the Carbon system. It combines symbolic reasoning with language models, simulation training, teleoperation and fleet management. Teleoperation serves as a source of training data and as a backup for unknown situations. The company states that the time to automate a new task in the 7th generation was reduced from weeks to under 24 hours. From 2025–2026 onwards, Sanctuary is deploying its AI on industrial robots from other manufacturers as well, claiming task success rates above 99.5 per cent. This is where the company's focus lies. Phoenix remains a technology demonstration and data source. ## Can Phoenix be obtained for an event? Briefly: no. Phoenix is not sold or rented commercially, and Sanctuary AI does not offer it as of September 2026. The price has never been made public. Figures from various aggregators do not come from the manufacturer, so do not rely on them. ROBOTio currently does not hire or sell it. We monitor availability in Europe, but cannot guarantee it. If you are planning an event, do not rely on a robot that cannot be ordered. For a broader overview of which models can actually be secured for an event, see the article [Humanoids 2026: which robots can be ordered](https://robotio.eu/blog/humanoidi-2026-ktere-roboty-lze-objednat-na-akci). ## Instead of Phoenix: G1 and H2 with operators Phoenix is interesting because of its fine manipulation capabilities. However, at most events, guests do not expect the robot to assemble a component. They want the robot to address them, wave, shake hands and make an impression on stage or at a booth. Our humanoids can do that: - **Unitree G1** (135 cm), robot R.U.D.A. or R.I.C.O. Suitable for mingling with guests, in smaller spaces and for photography. - **Unitree H2** (180 cm). More prominent on stage and at trade fairs. - **Up to 4 humanoids at one event**, plus the quadruped robot dog Unitree Go2. Each robot has two operators present at all times. The robot speaks in the language in which the guest addresses it (the system supports 13 languages). Character and responses are approved in advance. The robot maintains balance and movement on its own; the operator controls direction and gestures. The manufacturer brand of our robots is described on the [Unitree Robotics](https://robotio.eu/brands/unitree) page. No event robot currently offers fine manipulation with tactile sensing. If you need a robot with grasping capabilities, we can advise on selecting proven grippers for available robots. In our experience, this is typically faster than waiting for Phoenix. ### Where our robots are deployed Common deployments include [technology events](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type) and [trade fairs](https://robotio.eu/robot-hire-by-event-type). The video from the Brilon × Aquatherm trade fair at PVA Expo Letňany has over 2 million views; see the [case study from Letňany](https://robotio.eu/case-study/pva-letnany-otevreni-haly). We have also deployed three humanoids at conferences, as described in the [T-Mobile T-Data & AI](https://robotio.eu/case-study/tmobile-t-data-ai-2026-bratislava-praha) project. We operate across Czechia, Slovakia, Europe and the Gulf region (Dubai). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Phoenix be rented or purchased? No. It has never been sold commercially and Sanctuary AI does not offer it. ROBOTio does not hire it either. ### Why does the 8th generation have wheels? The company stated that two-legged construction is too fragile for a strong torso and a wheeled base is better for data collection and lower costs. ### What can replace Phoenix at a corporate event? Unitree G1 or H2 from our fleet. An overview of all models can be found on the [robot models](https://robotio.eu/models) page. ### How much does a robot cost for an event? We do not publish prices on our website. Submit an inquiry and you will receive a quote within 24 hours. ## Do you want a robot for your event? Tell us what event you have in mind and we will let you know what we can provide from our fleet. Submit a non-binding inquiry via [robot rental for events](https://robotio.eu/robot-rental).

Want to see a humanoid at your own event? Find out how to rent a humanoid robot with our own operators.

Category

robotika

Tags

  • Sanctuary AI
  • Phoenix
  • Humanoid robots
  • Robot rental
  • Unitree G1
  • Unitree H2

About ROBOTio

ROBOTio helps companies rent, demonstrate and integrate humanoid robots: Unitree G1 and H2 for events, trade fairs, conferences and marketing campaigns — always with our own operators.