Beijing-based Noetix Robotics has launched pre-sales for Bumi, a humanoid robot priced at ¥9,998 (approximately $1,400), marking the first high-performance humanoid robot in China to break below the ¥10,000 threshold. This breakthrough pricing signals a pivotal shift from laboratory prototypes to accessible consumer devices, potentially opening the mass market for humanoid robotics in China.
What you should know: Bumi represents a significant milestone in making advanced robotics technology accessible to everyday consumers.
- The 94 cm tall robot weighs 12 kg and features a 48V battery with over 3.5 Ah capacity, providing 1-2 hours of runtime.
- It can perform walking, running, and dancing motions while supporting drag-and-drop graphical programming for children.
- Voice interaction capabilities enable companion and educational scenarios for home use.
The company behind it: Noetix Robotics emerged as one of China’s fastest-rising robotics startups since its September 2023 founding in Beijing.
- The core team includes talent from prestigious institutions like Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University.
- The company first gained attention in 2024 with its N2 humanoid robot, which achieved over 2,500 orders.
- Noetix even participated in a humanoid robot half-marathon earlier this year, demonstrating real-world capabilities.
Why this matters: The sub-¥10,000 price point could catalyze mass market adoption of humanoid robots in China.
- Previous humanoid robots have been prohibitively expensive for most consumers, limiting them to research institutions and tech enthusiasts.
- Noetix positions itself as bridging the gap between niche laboratory applications and practical home, education, and research use.
- This pricing strategy may force competitors to reconsider their own market positioning and pricing models.
The big picture: China’s humanoid robotics sector is rapidly evolving from experimental technology to consumer-ready products.
- The shift from laboratory derivatives to accessible home devices reflects broader trends in Chinese tech manufacturing.
- Educational and companion robot markets are expanding as parents seek interactive learning tools for children.
- Mass production capabilities in China enable aggressive pricing that could accelerate global humanoid robot adoption.
Beijing startup Noetix Robotics launches ‘consumer-grade humanoid robot’ at $1,400