Noetix Launches Affordable Humanoid Robot Bumi for RMB9,998

For RMB9,998, Noetix Robotics has introduced Bumi, a humanoid robot that aims to make robotics accessible to consumers, a domain previously dominated by research labs and corporate showcases.

Launched in October 2025, Bumi is designed for programming education and companionship, allowing children to program its movements and interact with a robot that resembles a small human.

This approach reflects Noetix’s strategy to prioritize affordability and capability in building a robotics business, with plans for more advanced intelligence to follow.

Founded in September 2023 by Jiang Zheyuan, who left his doctoral studies at Tsinghua University, Noetix initially focused on the robot’s physical design and motion control, addressing the challenges of balance and movement reliability.

Jiang emphasized the importance of creating a reliable physical robot before integrating advanced AI capabilities, which are evolving rapidly. The company opted for composite materials to reduce costs and ensure the robot’s affordability was factored into its design from the outset.

This strategy has allowed Noetix to market Bumi as a programmable humanoid suitable for educational purposes, enabling quicker sales and establishing a foundation for future product development.

Public Engagement and Manufacturing Challenges

Noetix gained significant public attention when its N2 robot finished second in the 2025 Beijing humanoid half-marathon and appeared in a popular sketch during the 2026 Spring Festival Gala.

This exposure helped connect technical demonstrations with a broader audience, leading to increased orders for Bumi, with a target of over 10,000 sales in 2026.

However, Jiang noted that the company faces practical challenges in manufacturing, including component availability and production management, which are critical as they scale up production to meet demand.

The company’s ability to maintain affordability while ensuring quality in larger production runs will be crucial to its success.

Advancing Intelligence and Global Expansion

In September 2026, Noetix announced the launch of its embodied-intelligence sub-brand, Scalabot, and the HERON world-model architecture, signaling its commitment to enhancing how robots understand and interact with their environments.

The company has started building a dedicated intelligence team, aiming to leverage the data collected from deployed robots to improve AI models.

Jiang indicated that intelligence research is becoming a significant expenditure for Noetix, with the goal of using revenue from hardware sales to fund these efforts.

As Noetix looks to expand internationally, it aims to replicate its domestic success in regions such as North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, while addressing the unique educational needs and market dynamics of each area.

To support its overseas ambitions, Noetix is building partnerships with educational providers and retailers, ensuring that its robots can integrate into existing educational systems.

By making Bumi affordable for classrooms and homes, Noetix has established a foothold in the market, and it now seeks to leverage this position to finance further advancements in robotics.

Source: TechNode (China)