China has just taken a bold step towards popularizing personal robotics, startup Noetix Robotics unveiled Bumi, a 95cm tall hand-held robot weighing just 12kg and costing the equivalent of $1,370. The lowest price ever recorded for a functional bipedal robot. The proposal is that of a real, accessible and educational humanoid robot, intended not for laboratories or factories, but for schools, families and technology enthusiasts.

This drastic cost reduction made possible thanks to the use of lightweight composite materials, a simplified internal control system and a modular architecture that prioritizes learning and social interaction instead of complex industrial tasks, the video released by XRoboHub shows the small robot executing fluidly coordinated steps, reminiscent of a miniature version of Unitree models.

Equipped with a 48 V and 3.5 amp hour battery, the robot can operate for up to 2 hours per charge. It can be programmed using drag-and-drop graphical blocks, making it ideal for teaching robotics and programming logistics to children and beginners, plus Bumi responds to voice commands and can act as a personal home assistant, offering a glimpse into the future in which humanoids will be part of everyday family life.

Pre-sales begin between the traditional Chinese shopping festivals double November 11 and double December 12, a strategic move to bring the technology-loving public during the era of digital consumption in the country.