Noetix Robotics introduced the wheeled humanoid robot Hobbs W1
English translation from Unibot. Source published 2026-10-31.
Hobbs W1 is a wheeled humanoid from Noetix Robotics. It is intended for public spaces, combining a human appearance with straightforward mobility and the ability to handle objects.
Characteristics and physical capabilities
Height - 170 cm, weight - 75 kg. White body, realistic silicone face, mobile base. The maximum speed is 3 km/h, the stated operating time is six hours on a single charge.
The robot has 54 active degrees of freedom, 32 of which are on the face. Each hand has five fingers. Drive - electric motors; cable and lever mechanisms are used in the face. The declared load capacity is 2 kg.
Humanoid Guide Skill Score - 2 out of 10, this is a preliminary level. Navigation and Manipulation each received a score of 1 out of 5. These ratings describe limited levels of ability rather than the number of movements or mechanisms.
Among the physical skills stated are avoiding obstacles and sorting goods - a narrow role, without broad physical versatility.
How it sees the world
Obstacle avoidance is based on lidar, ultrasonic sensors and depth sensors: they recognize obstacles around while Hobbs W1 rolls on its base. There are two RGB cameras in the eyes, another RGB camera in the chest, and a depth camera in the base.
Sorting goods is the second stated skill. This means that navigation and basic organization of items will be the areas on which deployment should be assessed.
The manipulation rating remains at the lower end of the scale. So sorting should not be confused with universal skills in handling objects. For service lobbies, exhibition spaces and reception areas, the practical test should focus on avoiding obstacles and on the specific sorting task that is required.
Price and status
Hobbs W1 is listed in production. The price on display is $32,000, there is an option to request the price separately.
The manufacturer, Noetix Robotics, is a Beijing-based company founded by researchers from Tsinghua and Zhejiang universities. Target areas include education, exhibitions, government and commercial service halls, hospitals, and reception areas. The software platform is Android, there is an SDK and a Wi-Fi connection: all this is the basis for application integration.
The significance of the product lies elsewhere. It combines a humanoid appearance with a wheeled service platform rather than demonstrating advanced full-body motor skills. Availability in production and preliminary skill score describe different aspects of a product: commercial status alone does not prove maturity of navigation or manipulation.