The Noetix Bumi is officially the world's cheapest humanoid robot—priced at just $1,400 (¥9,998), this child-sized bipedal robot from Beijing startup Noetix Robotics is cheaper than an iPhone 17 Pro Max. In February 2026, the Bumi made international headlines when it appeared at China's Spring Festival Gala alongside human actors, performing in front of 677 million viewers. The robot sold out within days of its October 2025 launch, with 500 units snapped up in just 48 hours on JD.com.
In this comprehensive Noetix Bumi review, we'll cover everything you need to know: full specifications, real-world performance, how Noetix achieved this breakthrough price, and how it compares to competitors like the Unitree R1 ($4,900). Whether you're an educator, hobbyist developer, or simply curious about owning a humanoid robot, the Bumi represents a genuine inflection point in consumer robotics.
Key Takeaways
- World's cheapest humanoid at $1,400 — Less than an iPhone, more than a robot
- 94 cm tall, 12 kg — Child-sized, safe for home and classroom environments
- 21 degrees of freedom — Can walk, run, dance, and interact via voice/touch
- Sold out in 48 hours — High demand, limited availability outside China
- Spring Festival Gala appearance — Demonstrated capabilities to 700+ million viewers
- Best for education and entertainment — Not designed for household labor
Noetix Bumi Specifications
About Noetix Robotics: The Company Behind Bumi
Noetix Robotics (officially Songyan Dynamics Beijing Technology Co., Ltd.) was founded in September 2023 by 27-year-old Jiang Zheyuan, who left his doctoral studies at Tsinghua University to commercialize humanoid robotics technology. The founding team includes engineers from China's top institutions, including Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University.
Unlike many robotics startups that focus on showcase demonstrations and long development timelines, Noetix prioritized rapid commercialization from day one. This pragmatic approach paid off—the company achieved positive cash flow in Q4 2024 and has completed five funding rounds, culminating in a Pre-B round of nearly $41 million led by Vertex Ventures in October 2025.
The company gained international attention in April 2025 when its larger N2 robot finished second in the world's first humanoid half-marathon in Beijing, completing 21 kilometers in 3 hours and 37 minutes. This achievement generated over 2,500 pre-orders and tripled Noetix's valuation. The Bumi represents their strategic move to capture the mass-market consumer segment.
How Noetix Achieved the $1,400 Price Point
At $1,400, the Bumi costs roughly the same as an iPhone 17 Pro Max—a remarkable achievement for a walking, talking humanoid robot. Founder Jiang Zheyuan has been transparent about the three engineering pillars that made this possible:
1. Vertical Integration
Noetix designs its own control boards and motor drivers in-house rather than purchasing standard modules. This eliminates supplier markups and allows tight hardware-software optimization. By controlling the entire stack, they can make engineering trade-offs that commercial component suppliers can't.
2. Structural Redesign
The team adopted lightweight composite materials with metal reinforcement only where structurally necessary. Cutting total weight to just 12 kg created cascading cost savings: lighter frames need smaller motors, smaller motors need smaller batteries, and the reduced component count simplifies assembly.
3. 100% Domestic Supply Chain
Almost every component—from motors and sensors to the Rockchip processor—is sourced within China. This localized supply chain provides faster iteration cycles, lower logistics costs, and significant price advantages over international competitors managing complex global supply chains.
Spring Festival Gala: The Bumi's TV Debut
In February 2026, the Noetix Bumi achieved something no consumer humanoid robot has done before: a live televised performance at China's Spring Festival Gala, the world's most-watched television broadcast with over 700 million viewers.
Four Noetix humanoid robots appeared alongside human actors in a comedy skit, demonstrating their ability to walk, gesture, and interact in an unscripted entertainment environment. The performance aired on Lunar New Year's Eve (February 16, 2026) and featured robots from four Chinese companies: Unitree, MagicLab, Galbot, and Noetix.
According to China Daily, orders for Chinese-made humanoid robots "surged" following the gala, with delivery dates for some models delayed until April 2026. For Noetix specifically, the exposure validated their positioning: robots that aren't just athletic, but socially aware for daily life scenarios.
Performance & Capabilities
Locomotion
The Bumi can walk and run on flat surfaces using bipedal locomotion with dynamic balance correction. Its 21 degrees of freedom—distributed across the legs, hips, torso, and arms—enable coordinated movement patterns including dancing and basic terrain adaptation. While not as capable as full-size industrial humanoids, the locomotion is genuinely impressive for a $1,400 robot.
Interaction
Bumi supports voice commands via its microphone array and includes touch-based interaction. The front-mounted camera enables facial recognition and basic object detection. The robot integrates with JD.com's Joy Inside 2.0 ecosystem and offers open programming interfaces for developers who want to extend its capabilities.
What It Can't Do
Noetix has been clear about Bumi's intended use: education and family entertainment, not household labor. The robot lacks the payload capacity, dexterity, and sensor suite needed for tasks like cooking, cleaning, or heavy lifting. Think of it as a sophisticated companion and educational tool, not a household assistant.
Who Should Buy the Noetix Bumi?
Ideal For:
- Educators and schools — A genuine humanoid robot at a price point schools can afford
- Hobbyist developers — Open programming interfaces for experimentation
- STEM programs — Hands-on robotics learning with real hardware
- Families — Educational entertainment for children fascinated by robots
- Research labs — Affordable platform for proof-of-concept testing
Not Ideal For:
- Anyone expecting household task assistance
- Commercial/industrial applications
- Buyers outside China (limited availability)
- Users requiring robust outdoor operation
Noetix Bumi vs. Unitree R1: Affordable Humanoid Comparison
The closest competitor to the Bumi is the Unitree R1, priced at $4,900—still making the Bumi more than 3x cheaper.
The Bumi wins on price and accessibility, while the R1 offers more capability for serious developers. For educational institutions with limited budgets, the Bumi is the clear choice. For research labs needing a more capable platform, the R1 justifies its higher price.
Looking for more options? Check our best humanoid robots guide for a complete market overview.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- World's cheapest humanoid — $1,400 breaks all price barriers
- Genuine bipedal locomotion — Walks, runs, dances on flat surfaces
- Child-safe size — 94 cm avoids intimidation factor
- Open programming interfaces — Developer-friendly for customization
- Proven company — Marathon performance, significant funding, real sales
- Voice and touch interaction — Multiple ways to engage
❌ Cons
- China-only availability — No official international sales
- Currently sold out — High demand, production catching up
- Not for household tasks — Education/entertainment focus
- Limited battery life — 1-2 hours depending on activity
- Young company — Founded 2023, limited track record
Availability: How to Buy the Noetix Bumi
Current Status: Sold Out
The Noetix Bumi launched for pre-order in October 2025 on JD.com (China's major e-commerce platform), timed to coincide with the Double 11 and Double 12 shopping festivals. The first 500 units sold within 48 hours, and the robot is currently sold out with deliveries delayed until April 2026.
For International Buyers:
Unfortunately, Noetix has not announced international sales channels. The company's website (en.noetixrobotics.com) provides English-language information, suggesting future global expansion is planned, but no timeline has been announced.
Getting Notified:
- Follow Noetix's official website for announcements
- Monitor JD.com for restocks (requires Chinese address)
- Check Robozaps for availability updates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Noetix Bumi cost?
The Noetix Bumi costs ¥9,998, which is approximately $1,400 USD. This makes it the world's cheapest humanoid robot—less expensive than an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The price reflects Noetix's vertical integration, lightweight materials, and nearly all domestic Chinese supply chain.
Can the Noetix Bumi do household chores?
No. Noetix explicitly positions the Bumi for education and family entertainment, not household labor. The robot lacks the payload capacity, manipulation dexterity, and sensor suite needed for tasks like cooking, cleaning, or carrying objects. Think of it as a companion and educational tool.
Is the Noetix Bumi available in the US or Europe?
Not currently. As of February 2026, the Bumi is only available in China through JD.com. Noetix has an English-language website suggesting international expansion is planned, but no specific timeline or sales channels have been announced for North America or Europe.
How tall is the Noetix Bumi?
The Bumi stands 94 cm (3.1 feet or 37 inches) tall and weighs 12 kg (26.5 lbs). This child-sized form factor was intentional—designed to avoid the "uncanny valley" effect and fit comfortably in homes and classrooms without intimidating children.
What can the Noetix Bumi actually do?
The Bumi can walk, run, and dance using bipedal locomotion. It responds to voice commands, supports touch interaction, and includes facial recognition via its front camera. Developers can program custom behaviors through its open interfaces. It was demonstrated live at China's Spring Festival Gala in February 2026.
How does the Bumi compare to the Unitree R1?
The Bumi ($1,400) is more than 3x cheaper than the Unitree R1 ($4,900). However, the R1 is taller (123 cm vs 94 cm), heavier (25-29 kg vs 12 kg), and designed for research/developer use with more degrees of freedom. The Bumi targets consumers and educators; the R1 targets serious roboticists.
Is Noetix a legitimate company?
Yes. Noetix Robotics was founded in September 2023 in Beijing by Jiang Zheyuan, a Tsinghua University researcher. The company has raised over $41 million in funding from investors including Vertex Ventures, achieved positive cash flow in 2024, and delivered real products—including the N2 robot that finished second in the world's first humanoid half-marathon.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy the Noetix Bumi?
The Noetix Bumi represents a genuine milestone in consumer robotics. At $1,400, it demolishes the price barrier that kept humanoid robots out of reach for individuals, schools, and small organizations. The fact that it sold out within 48 hours and appeared on the world's most-watched television broadcast validates both the technology and the market demand.
If you're an educator looking to bring robotics into your classroom, the Bumi offers an affordable entry point into humanoid technology. If you're a hobbyist developer, the open programming interfaces make it an interesting platform for experimentation. If you're a family with robot-obsessed kids, this could be the most educational toy you'll ever buy.
The limitations are real: it's not available outside China, it's currently sold out, and it won't do your dishes. But for what it is—the world's cheapest real humanoid robot—the Noetix Bumi delivers on its promise.
For buyers ready to invest more, consider the Unitree R1 at $4,900 for greater capability, or explore our full humanoid robot buyer's guide for all available options.
Last updated: February 2026
