Continuing its operations in Beijing, the capital of China, technology startup Noetix Robotics has unveiled a remarkable product for the consumer segment. The company introduced the humanoid robot model Bumi, which can be purchased for only $ 1,400. Bumi draws attention not only with its physical mobility but also with its software-developable infrastructure. The product is designed to appeal to education-oriented applications as well as individual use.
Bumi, which is approximately 90 centimeters tall, highlights its portability with its weight of 12 kilograms. On the other hand, the physical abilities of the robot are left at a level that can perform simple movements that can be encountered in daily life. They have spectacular but limited functions such as walking and dancing. However, this limited physical capacity does not change the basic purpose of the robot. Because Bumi is not a production robot; It is positioned as a tool to support learning and discovery in homes or classrooms. In addition to all these, the software infrastructure that will increase users’ interaction with the robot is also particularly emphasized.
Thanks to its programmable structure, Bumi offers a platform that diversifies the user experience.
The robot’s software infrastructure makes it more than a standard entertainment device. The programming interface offered by Noetix Robotics enables Bumi’s behavior to be customized by the user. This turns the device from just a passive robot into an active educational tool for learning coding. What is particularly striking here is that the robot is not presented just for demonstration purposes. An important detail stands out as an important detail that the company also targets educational institutions that want to provide basic information about robotics and software development. Accordingly, Bumi’s usage area may not be limited to homes only.
With the first introduction of Bumi, the company’s previous projects also came to the fore again. Noetix had previously attracted attention by participating in the half marathon organized specifically for robots with another model called N2. N2, one of the four robots participating in this race, was important in terms of demonstrating the company’s technical competence in this field. This past experience provided a strong foundation during the development of Bumi. Of course, in such technologies, not only technical background but also sustainability and accessibility are among the determining factors. At this point, Bumi differs from its peers with its price-performance balance.
For comparison, the recently introduced Unitree R1, which attracts attention with its price starting from $ 5,900, can perform more technically complex tasks. However, considering the price difference, Bumi is located at a much more accessible point. Tesla’s Optimus model, which is still under development, is far outside this product group with its price of approximately $ 20,000. So Bumi is far behind its competitors in terms of price range, but this does not mean that it is inadequate. On the contrary, the software support and basic functionality offered with this price provide a different perspective in the consumer segment. A new practical field is emerging, especially for students and young software developers.
The fact that the robot can be improved thanks to its software infrastructure allows users to constantly increase their level of interaction with Bumi. This is one of the most important elements that distinguishes it from robots with fixed functions. Updates and new functional scenarios that can be made on the robot can be shaped entirely by the user’s imagination. Thus, Bumi can turn into a different experience for each user. In addition to all this, it seems possible that APIs for open source or private developers will be offered in the future. This stands out as another detail that has the potential to extend the life cycle of the device.
Bumi’s success depends not only on its technical capabilities but also on the importance it attaches to user experience. It seems that the company is making a serious effort to ensure that the robot is perceived as a learning tool rather than a simple toy. This situation may have an important response, especially in the field of educational technologies. The low cost of the robot creates an option that teachers can integrate into robotics and software education in the classroom. The value of such devices is increasing day by day in terms of supporting classical education with digital tools. Especially in developing countries, such accessible solutions can make a big difference.