CtrlK
| Hobbs W1 |
|---|
| General information |
| Manufacturer |
| Country of origin |
| Year unveiled |
| Status |
| Model designation |
| Availability |
| Website |
The Hobbs W1 is a wheeled humanoid robot developed by Noetix Robotics (Songyan Power Beijing Technology Co., Ltd.), a robotics startup headquartered in Beijing, China. Formally designated the NTX-W1, the robot integrates a highly realistic bionic head with a wheeled mobile base, dexterous manipulation arms, and onboard artificial intelligence to serve as an autonomous service agent in professional environments. The Hobbs W1 is designed for reception, visitor guidance, customer support, and information delivery in settings such as museums, government halls, corporate offices, and retail stores.[1][2]
The robot's defining feature is its bionic head, which contains 32 active degrees of freedom and 8 passive degrees of freedom, enabling it to replicate over 200 human micro-expressions with what Noetix describes as "waxwork-level" realism.[3] The facial skin is constructed from custom-formulated platinum silicone that closely mimics the texture, pattern, and elasticity of human skin.[4] Combined with real-time lip synchronization, emotion recognition, and natural language processing, the Hobbs W1 aims to create an immersive and approachable interaction experience that goes beyond what traditional screen-based service kiosks can provide.
As of early 2026, the Hobbs W1 has been deployed as a guide and receptionist in museums, government halls, and offices across China, representing one of the first commercially deployed wheeled humanoid robots with a lifelike bionic face.[5]
Noetix Robotics was founded in September 2023 by Jiang Zheyuan, who dropped out of his doctoral program at Tsinghua University's Department of Electronic Engineering to start the company. Born in 1998, Jiang grew up in the Tsinghua campus area and entered the university's Electronic Engineering Department after scoring 28th on Beijing's college entrance examination. His research focused on reinforcement learning, and he became interested in robotics after encountering a robotic dog during his doctoral work.[6]
The company's founding team comprises engineers and researchers from Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University. Despite initial difficulty securing funding as a dropout entrepreneur, Jiang obtained seed funding after completing a working prototype in late 2023. By 2024, the company had grown to approximately 80 employees, most of them Gen-Z workers, and relocated to a larger facility in Beijing's Changping District.[6]
Noetix Robotics has raised substantial capital across multiple funding rounds. In October 2025, the company completed a pre-Series B round of nearly 300 million yuan (approximately $42 million), led by Fangguang Capital. Less than a month later, a pre-B+ round of nearly 200 million yuan followed, led by CICC Capital. Including earlier rounds, the company's total financing by late 2025 exceeded 500 million yuan.[7] In early 2026, Noetix announced its Series B financing led by Chendao Capital (an investment platform affiliated with CATL), bringing the total Series B scale to nearly 1 billion yuan.[8]
The company gained national visibility when it was selected as a humanoid robot partner for CCTV's 2026 Spring Festival Gala, one of the most-watched television events in the world. Noetix's Hobbs 3 bionic head platform was used to create a lifelike replica of actress Cai Ming for a comedic skit titled "Grandma's Favorite," in which the robot performed alongside the real actress. The head was developed in approximately 30 days and featured 32 degrees of freedom for independent control of eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, lips, and jaw. Noetix appeared alongside Unitree Robotics, MagicLab, and Galbot in the Gala's robotics showcase.[9]
The Hobbs W1 follows a wheeled humanoid architecture, combining an upper humanoid torso with a wheeled mobile base rather than bipedal legs. This design philosophy prioritizes stability, reliability, and extended operational endurance over the terrain versatility that legged locomotion provides. Wheeled platforms are well suited for flat indoor environments such as hotel lobbies, museum galleries, office atriums, and retail floors, where smooth surfaces are the norm and stair-climbing is unnecessary.[2]
The robot stands 1,700 mm (approximately 5 feet 7 inches) tall, measures 525 mm in both length and width, and weighs 75 kg. Its upper body features a humanoid torso with a 7-inch interactive touchscreen (1280 x 800 resolution) mounted on the chest. The bionic head, which weighs 2.8 kg, is attached via a magnetic suction and clip-type mount that allows non-destructive disassembly for maintenance or replacement. Available color options include white and brown, and the flexible platinum silicone facial skin can be customized in different tones and textures.[4]
The wheeled base uses a two-wheel differential drive system with universal (caster) wheels. It supports a load capacity of up to 50 kg and features a minimum turning radius of 265 mm, allowing the robot to navigate tight corridors and crowded spaces. The minimum clearance width for passage is 800 mm.[4]
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Active degrees of freedom | 32 DoF |
| Passive degrees of freedom | 8 DoF |
| Head weight | 2.8 kg |
| Skin material | Platinum silicone |
| Micro-expressions supported | 200+ |
| Eyes | Two RGB cameras |
| Expression response delay | < 150 ms |
| Dialogue response delay | < 1,200 ms (network-dependent) |
| Neck pitch range | 27 degrees (54 degrees total) |
| Neck roll range | 25 degrees (50 degrees total) |
| Neck yaw range | 35 degrees (70 degrees total) |
| Mount type | Magnetic suction + clip (non-destructive) |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Arm degrees of freedom | 5 DoF per arm |
| Hand active degrees of freedom | 6 DoF per hand |
| Hand passive degrees of freedom | 5 DoF per hand |
| Single arm weight | 3.3 kg |
| Single arm payload | 2 kg |
| Work envelope | Hemispherical, 600 mm radius, 225-degree sector cross-section |
| Manipulation tasks | Object handover, button pressing, door opening, gesturing, basic pick-and-place |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Drive system | Two-wheel differential drive with universal wheels |
| Load capacity | 50 kg |
| Maximum speed | 1.2 m/s |
| Maximum climbing angle | 10 degrees |
| Maximum ridge passage | 30 mm |
| Maximum threshold passage | 18 mm |
| Turning radius | 265 mm |
| Minimum clearance width | 800 mm |
| Navigation | Laser SLAM with 360-degree obstacle avoidance |
| Laser radar accuracy | +/- 50 mm |
| Anti-fall protection | 3 ToF sensors on chassis |
| Map coverage (single construction) | 50,000 square meters |
| Maximum operating area | 80,000 square meters |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| AI interactive system CPU | Rockchip RK3588 |
| Mobile platform CPU | Intel J1900 quad-core, 2.0 GHz |
| NPU | 6 TOPS x 2 |
| Interactive system RAM | 4 GB |
| Interactive system storage | 64 GB |
| Mobile platform storage | 32 GB (expandable to 256 GB) |
| Interactive screen | 7 inches, 1280 x 800 resolution |
| Operating system (interactive) | Android 12 |
| Language models | Doubao / iFlytek |
| Voice recognition accuracy | 98% |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Eye cameras | 2x RGB cameras |
| Chest camera | 1x RGB camera |
| Microphone | Linear four-microphone array (chest) |
| Wireless | 2.4/5 GHz 802.11 b/g/n |
| Connectivity | Serial port, WiFi, 4G/5G |
| Offline cache | 1 GB |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery type | Lithium-ion |
| Battery capacity | 32 Ah (21V to 29.4V) |
| Working time (full load) | 6 hours |
| Standby time | 8 hours |
| Standard charge time | 6.5 hours |
| Fast charge time | 2 hours |
| Charging input | 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 2A max |
| Charging output | DC 29.4V, 6A |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Total active degrees of freedom | 54 |
| Height | 1,700 mm |
| Length x Width | 525 mm x 525 mm |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Color options | White, Brown |
The Hobbs W1's interaction system is built around two primary computing nodes. The bionic head and interactive display run on a Rockchip RK3588 processor with Android 12, handling natural language processing, facial expression control, and the touchscreen interface. The mobile platform runs on an Intel J1900 quad-core processor with dual NPUs providing 12 TOPS of combined neural processing power for navigation, obstacle avoidance, and environmental perception.[4]
The robot integrates with Doubao (developed by ByteDance) and iFlytek's large language models for conversational AI. This enables multi-round dialogue with context understanding and logical reasoning. Voice recognition operates at a reported 98% accuracy rate using a linear four-microphone array mounted on the chest. The system supports real-time lip synchronization, generating corresponding mouth shapes as the robot speaks to maintain visual coherence between audio and facial movement.[3][4]
Emotion recognition is another core capability. The robot can identify fluctuating emotional states during conversations and dynamically adjust its tone, posture, and conversational approach in response. This adaptive behavior is intended to make interactions feel more natural and empathetic, which is particularly valuable in customer-facing service roles.[2]
The Hobbs W1 can operate with reduced cloud dependency thanks to its onboard processing capabilities, though network connectivity enhances its conversational AI through cloud-based language model access. Dialogue response latency is under 1,200 milliseconds (network-dependent), while facial expression changes respond in under 150 milliseconds.[4]
The robot employs Laser SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) for autonomous indoor navigation, providing centimeter-level positioning accuracy across mapped environments. The 360-degree obstacle avoidance system, combined with three Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors on the chassis for anti-fall protection, allows the Hobbs W1 to traverse complex indoor layouts without human supervision.[4]
A single map construction can cover up to 50,000 square meters, while the maximum operating area extends to 80,000 square meters. This capacity makes the robot suitable for large-scale commercial venues such as convention centers, shopping malls, and museum complexes. The mobile platform achieves a maximum speed of 1.2 m/s and can handle inclines up to 10 degrees, ridges up to 30 mm, and door thresholds up to 18 mm.[4]
The compact 265 mm turning radius enables the robot to maneuver through doorways and between furniture in typical office and retail environments. The platform requires a minimum clearance of 800 mm to pass through, which is narrower than a standard doorway.[4]
Noetix positions the Hobbs W1 as a "professional scene all-rounder" targeting several commercial sectors.[10]
Hospitality and reception. The robot serves as a front desk receptionist, greeting visitors, providing directions, answering frequently asked questions, and escorting guests to their destinations within a facility. Its lifelike appearance and conversational abilities are intended to create a more welcoming first impression compared to traditional screen kiosks or simple mobile robots.
Museums and exhibitions. The Hobbs W1 functions as an interactive guide, providing exhibit information, answering visitor questions, and leading tours through gallery spaces. As of early 2026, the robot has been deployed in museum settings in China.[5]
Government and corporate offices. The robot handles visitor check-in, wayfinding, and information delivery in government service halls and corporate lobbies. Its ability to navigate autonomously while maintaining conversation allows it to physically escort visitors rather than simply pointing them in the right direction.
Retail. In shopping environments, the Hobbs W1 can assist customers with product information, store navigation, and promotional interactions. Its dexterous hands enable it to gesture naturally and hand objects to customers.
Education. The robot's interactive capabilities and approachable design make it suitable for educational settings, where it can engage students in conversational learning experiences.
The Hobbs W1 is part of a broader product portfolio that Noetix Robotics has developed since its founding. Each product targets a different market segment and use case.
| Model | Type | Height | Weight | DOF | Target market | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobbs W1 | Wheeled humanoid (bionic face) | 1,700 mm | 75 kg | 54 active | Commercial service, hospitality | Not disclosed |
| Hobbs 3 | Standalone bionic head | 600 mm | 10.5 kg | 32 active + 8 passive | Research, reception, streaming | Not disclosed |
| N2 | Bipedal humanoid | 1,180 mm | 20-30 kg | 18 | Education, research, elder care | $5,500-$6,200 |
| E1 | Bipedal humanoid | 1,360 mm | 40 kg | 23-28 | Family, exhibitions, corporate | ~$5,500 (39,900 yuan) |
| Dora | Bipedal humanoid | 1,000 mm | 20 kg | 20-26 | Household, education, elder care | ~$10,000 |
| Bumi | Bipedal humanoid | 940 mm | 12 kg | N/A | Consumer, education, home | ~$1,400 (9,988 yuan) |
The Hobbs 3 is the standalone version of the bionic head technology used in the Hobbs W1. It shares the same 32-active-DOF facial system and platinum silicone skin but is sold as a tabletop or mountable unit for research, reception desks, and live streaming applications. The Hobbs 3 head gained national prominence when it was used to create a robotic replica of actress Cai Ming for the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala.[9]
The N2 is a compact bipedal humanoid that gained attention for being one of the first humanoid robots capable of performing continuous backflips, a feat previously demonstrated only by Boston Dynamics' Atlas. Standing 1.18 meters tall with 18 degrees of freedom, it achieves a top running speed of 3.5 m/s (12.6 km/h) and is powered by an NVIDIA Jetson Orin processor.[11]
The E1 (Geek Pioneer) is a full-sized bipedal humanoid standing 1.36 meters tall with up to 28 degrees of freedom. It is positioned as a cost-effective platform for family companionship, exhibition guidance, and corporate services, starting at 39,900 yuan.[12]
Dora is a compact bipedal humanoid designed for household tasks, STEM education, and light elder care. At 1 meter tall and 20 kg, it can walk over grass, snow, and stairs at up to 1 m/s and carries a 5 kg payload.[13]
Bumi is Noetix's most affordable offering, launched in October 2025 at 9,988 yuan (approximately $1,400). At 94 cm tall and 12 kg, it targets the consumer market for education, hobbyist development, and home companionship, making it one of the cheapest humanoid robots ever offered commercially.[14]
The Hobbs W1 operates in the growing market for wheeled humanoid service robots, where it competes with both established players and emerging startups.
SoftBank Pepper. SoftBank Robotics' Pepper has been the most widely recognized wheeled humanoid service robot since its launch in 2015. Standing 1.2 meters tall with 19 degrees of freedom, Pepper is deployed in banks, airports, retail stores, and schools across multiple countries. While Pepper pioneered the category, its relatively simple facial display (an LCD screen face) contrasts sharply with the Hobbs W1's lifelike silicone skin and 32-DOF bionic face.[15]
Keenon Robotics. Shanghai-based Keenon has manufactured over 100,000 mobile service robots deployed in more than 10,000 hotels and 25,000 restaurants across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Keenon has begun launching its own wheeled and bipedal humanoids to expand beyond its delivery robot base.[16]
Pudu Robotics. Shenzhen-based Pudu has shipped over 100,000 service robots and, like Keenon, is commercializing wheeled and bipedal humanoids to complement its existing delivery and hospitality robot fleet.[16]
LG CLOi. LG Electronics operates a family of CLOi wheeled service robots deployed in retail, restaurants, and hospitality settings. At CES 2026, LG debuted the CLOiD humanoid robot for home use, extending the CLOi platform with more advanced interaction capabilities.[17]
LimX Dynamics TRON 2. LimX Dynamics has developed the TRON 2, described as a multi-modal embodied robot with modular capabilities, targeting similar commercial service applications in China's rapidly growing humanoid market.[7]
The Hobbs W1 differentiates itself primarily through its bionic face technology. While most service robots use screens or simple animated faces for interaction, the Hobbs W1's 32-DOF platinum silicone face with real-time micro-expression control represents a fundamentally different approach to human-robot interaction. Noetix's bet is that lifelike facial expressions create stronger emotional connections with users, leading to more effective service interactions in public-facing environments.
The broader Chinese humanoid robot market has seen intense competition and investment. According to South China Morning Post, Chinese startups are racing to debut robots for stores, offices, and factories, with companies securing hundreds of millions of yuan in funding across multiple rounds.[7] In flat-surface indoor environments such as retail floors, logistics facilities, and hospitality settings, wheeled platforms consistently outperform bipedal systems on cost-per-task metrics, giving robots like the Hobbs W1 a practical advantage in near-term commercial deployment.