Noetix Bumi

World's lowest-cost small humanoid robot - Innovative affordable robot for education and consumer markets

Noetix Bumi

Home > Hardware > Humanoids > Noetix Bumi


Key Significance

Noetix Bumi is a product that achieved a high-performance bipedal humanoid robot at under $1,400 [1][4]. As a case that proves humanoid robots can be made available to the public at a price cheaper than flagship smartphones, it is evaluated as a milestone symbolizing the democratization of Physical AI.

  • Price Innovation: Significantly cheaper than existing high-performance humanoid robots (Unitree H2 ~$16,000) [8]
  • Vertical Integration Strategy: Cost reduction through self-developed controllers and actuators [2]
  • Educational Accessibility: Greatly lowered the barrier to entry for robot research for students, researchers, and hobbyist developers [1]
  • Mass Production Potential: Easy to scale up utilizing supply chains within China [2]

Manufacturer: Noetix Robotics

Company Overview

ItemInformation
Official NameSongyan Dynamics Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. (Songyan Dynamics)
FoundedSeptember 2023, Beijing [7]
FounderJiang Zheyuan - Dropped out of PhD program at Tsinghua University Electronic Engineering [7]
Team40+ members from top universities including Tsinghua, Zhejiang University, USC [7]
VisionShort-term: “Xiaomi of robots”, Long-term: “Apple of robots” [7]

Founder Background

Founder Jiang Zheyuan (27 years old) completed his undergraduate degree at Tsinghua University’s Electronic Engineering Department and took a leave of absence during his PhD program in 2023 to start Noetix [7]. With the goal of commercializing humanoid robot technology, he assembled a young engineering team and succeeded in rapidly developing from research robots to mass-producible consumer products [1][7].

Funding Status

RoundAmountKey Investors
Pre-B (2025.10)~$41M (RMB 300M)FG Venture (lead), Vertex Ventures, CRRC Beijing, OR Capital, Everpine Capital [2]
Total Rounds524 investors including Hangzhou Dongfang Jiafu, Jiadao Valley Investment, United Pioneers Capital
Valuation~$200MApproximately 3x increase after N2 half-marathon success in April 2025 (per reports) [2][7]

Technical Specifications

Physical Specs

ItemSpecSource
Height94cm (~3.1 feet)[1][4]
Weight12kg (26.5 lbs)[1][4]
Degrees of Freedom (DOF)21 DOF[8]
Battery48V, 3.5Ah+[1]
Runtime1-2 hours (depending on usage pattern)[1]
Price¥9,998 (~$1,370)[1][3]

DOF Configuration

21 DOF supports complex movements including bipedal walking, upper body manipulation, and head movements [8]. Although the specific joint distribution is not disclosed, based on typical humanoid configurations, it is estimated to be distributed as follows:

  • Lower Body: Knee flexion, hip rotation, ankle joints - bipedal walking and balance
  • Upper Body: Elbow flexion, shoulder joints - upper body movement
  • Torso/Head: Torso rotation, head motion - dynamic movements and interaction

The above distribution is an estimate; exact specs require manufacturer confirmation

Note: Lower than Unitree H2 (31 DOF) but higher than basic educational robots, reflecting a consumer-oriented design philosophy [8].

Control System

  • Self-developed Domain Controller: Internal design without relying on third-party suppliers [2]
  • Motion Control Algorithm: Hybrid approach of Imitation Learning + Reinforcement Learning (per reports) [1][8]
  • Sensors: Camera-based vision, voice recognition [1]

Motor Capabilities

According to official announcements and reports [1][4]:

  • Stable bipedal walking
  • Jumping (single leg, both feet)
  • Dance movements
  • Dynamic balance maintenance
  • Object recognition and interaction

Cost Optimization Strategy

Key strategies by which Noetix achieved the $1,400 price (per TechNode reports) [2]:

1. Vertical Integration

Instead of purchasing standard control boards and actuators from third parties, Noetix designs these core modules internally. This enables:

  • Elimination of supplier premiums
  • Close hardware-software optimization
  • Motor controller customization specialized for Bumi’s motion profile

2. Lightweight Composite Materials

  • Base: Composite materials
  • Reinforcement: Selective metal use only where needed
  • Result: 12kg weight reduction enables smaller motors and batteries -> additional cost savings

3. Utilizing Domestic Supply Chains

  • Parts procurement to assembly all conducted within China
  • Minimized tariffs, logistics, communication costs
  • Maximized scale advantages in mass production

4. Self-developed Low-cost Actuators

  • Developed actuators optimized for consumer grade instead of expensive industrial actuators
  • Set durability-cost balance point

Target Markets

1. Education Market

  • Graphical Programming: Drag-and-drop programming support for children [1]
  • Open Programming Interface: Low-level control access for university robotics programs and researchers [8]
  • Affordable Practice Platform: Students can test algorithms on actual humanoids

2. Consumer/Home Use

  • Voice Interaction: For companion and educational scenarios [1]
  • Compact Size: 94cm suitable for home environments [3]
  • Entertainment: Dance, movement demonstrations

3. Research/Developers

  • Motion control algorithm testing
  • Machine learning model development
  • Human-robot interaction paradigm research

Market Response

Sales Performance (November 2025, per reports)

  • Over 100 units sold within 1 hour of JD.com launch [1]
  • First 500 units sold out in 2 days (during Double-11, Double-12 shopping festivals) [1]
  • Pre-order period: November 11 - December 12, 2025 [8]

Information about Noetix’s larger humanoid robot N2 [7]:

ItemSpec
Height1.2m
Weight29-30kg
Price¥39,900 (~$5,500)
Max Speed3.5m/s (10km/h)
CapabilitiesBackflip, large strides, running, jumping, dancing

April 2025 Beijing Half Marathon

At the world’s first humanoid half marathon (21.1km), N2 achieved 2nd place (3 hours 37 minutes) [5][6]:

  • 1st: Tien Kung (Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre) - 2 hours 40 minutes
  • 2nd: Noetix N2 - 3 hours 37 minutes
  • 3rd: DroidUp X02 - 4 hours 50 minutes

As a result of this achievement, Noetix reportedly received over 1,000 orders within a month, and the company valuation increased [5].


Limitations and Considerations

  • Durability Tests Not Disclosed: Detailed durability test results or IP rating not announced [8]
  • API Documentation: Complete open API documentation absent (openness emphasized but detailed specs limited) [8]
  • Battery Replacement Needed: Battery swap required for long-duration operation (confirmed during N2 marathon) [5]
  • Consumer Support System: Service infrastructure verification needed as it’s early stage of mass market entry

Competitor Comparison

ProductManufacturerHeightPrice (USD)DOFFeatures
BumiNoetix94cm~$1,37021Lowest-cost consumer, education market target
N2Noetix1.2m~$5,500N/AHigh-performance, marathon 2nd place
H2Unitree1.8m~$16,00031Industrial, high DOF

Note: Prices are as of announcement date and subject to change


References

  1. TechNode - China’s Noetix Robotics unveils $1,370 humanoid robot “Bumi”
  2. TechNode - After new funding, Noetix Robotics explains how it built a humanoid robot cheaper than an iPhone
  3. SCMP - Chinese robotics start-up Noetix debuts ‘family-friendly’ US$1,400 humanoid
  4. Interesting Engineering - China unveils world’s cheapest humanoid robot under $1,400
  5. Asia Times - Chinese humanoid robots get reality check in half-marathon debut
  6. People’s Daily - Robots, go. World’s first humanoid half marathon heralds new era of intelligence
  7. TMTPost - Startup NOETIX Robotics Launches Affordable Humanoid Robot Capable of Backflips
  8. OriginOfBots - Bumi by Noetix Robotics: Price, Details, Review 2026
  9. Robotics and Automation News - Beijing startup Noetix Robotics launches consumer-grade humanoid robot at $1,400

See Also