Humanoid robots from Unitree, Boston Dynamics, and UBTech are already showcasing where our future lies. However, they’re still out of the reach of common tech enthusiasts. Unitree gave it their best shot at creating the affordable R1 humanoid robot priced at $6,000, but that is still on the higher side for most. Now, Beijing-based startup Noetix Robotics has created ripples in the humanoid sphere with its compact humanoid robot that asks a price tag you could ditch your next flagship smartphone purchase for.
The robot developed over a period of two years is priced at 9,998 Yuan (approximately $1,400), going to be up for pre-order later this year, most likely in time for the holiday season. This development is a glaring preview of how affordable robots are going to be a part of every household in the near future. According to Noetix, their humanoid robot is a strong signal of “entry of humanoid robots into the consumer market.” China, of course, is headstrong in leading the race for developing the most affordable humanoid robots.
Designer: Noetix Robotics
Bumi in no way competes with the higher-end robots offered by the companies mentioned earlier; rather, it provides an entry-level option to own a humanoid robot with respectable features that justify the price. Weighing just 26.5 pounds and measuring three feet tall, the walking bot can do all major tasks right from your skill acquisition at learning a new coding language with detailed graphical programming illustrations to interacting just like a personal assistant whenever you are in a dilemma. The lightweight design and the compact body shape of Bumi are intended for educational and family use. In classrooms, the robot can be scripted for simple tasks like setting up spoken commands, or back home, it can spark a conversation over dinner.
The robot walks on two legs, can perform appreciable dance moves, and the open programming interface opens up a whole new world of learning for the bot to employ machine learning to the fullest. Running on a 48V battery having 3.5Ah capacity, the robot has an operating time of one to two hours on a single full charge. AS seen in the demonstration video, Bumi has a steady walking motion and can twerk its hips when it feels joyous. The camera eyes on the front constantly scan the environment, objects, and faces for learning. For instance, if you ask it to get a toy across the street, it’ll first scan the road for oncoming traffic before making the move.
Noetix is able to achieve the low price point of the robot by having vertical integration of hardware-software performance that is in-house optimized. Using composite materials that are metal-reinforced only where needed reduces the overall weight. This, in turn, gives them the free hand to use smaller motors and lighter batteries. Most importantly, all the components, including motors, sensors, and the Rockchip processors are locally sourced. In unison, all of this results in cost reduction, which is passed down to the consumer.
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