Nori A3 humanoid robot costs $1,688, lifts 55 kg, runs 8 hours — and it's not a biped

San Francisco-based startup Nori Robotics has unveiled a humanoid robot called Nori A3, priced at $1,688. That is a fraction of the cost of most bipedal humanoids, which typically range from $20,000 to over $100,000. Instead of legs, the Nori A3 uses a wheeled base, which provides stability and maneuverability indoors.

The robot features 19 degrees of freedom, including articulated shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints, as well as a torso tilt mechanism. It is designed to handle everyday household chores: retrieving food from the refrigerator, pouring drinks, loading the dishwasher, and folding laundry. Founder Antonio Li stated that the goal is to build the best robot in the United States for under $2,000, making home robotics accessible to the mass consumer.

The Nori A3 can lift up to 55 kg when the load is held close to its body during vertical lifting. However, with fully extended arms at maximum reach, the payload drops to 1.5 kg. The central torso section can raise and lower the head and arms by 30 cm vertically, providing flexibility for working at different heights, from floor level to kitchen countertop height.

For navigation and object recognition, the robot is equipped with a lidar sensor with a range of 8–12 meters and four 720p cameras. It builds a map of the room, accepts voice commands via a speaker and microphone, and supports basic conversational scenarios. The built-in battery provides 6–8 hours of operation on a single charge, and an automatic docking system allows the robot to return to its charging station without human intervention.