Robots leave cold tech behind for warm everyday life: Noetix Robotics founder

China

Robots leave cold tech behind for warm everyday life: Noetix Robotics founder

2026-03-08 20:45 Last Updated At：23:07

Humanoid robots are stepping out of the realm of cold technology and into the warmth of everyday life, said Jiang Zheyuan, founder of Noetix Robotics, a Beijing-based humanoid robotics company.

In a recent interview with China Media Group (CMG), Jiang and his team showcased their "robot ensemble," including a bionic robot and the playful Bumi, fresh from their debut at the high-profile 2026 CMG Spring Festival Gala aired on the eve of the Chinese New Year's Day on February 16.

Titled "Grandma's Favorite," the sketch featured everything from playful robots performing backflips to the strikingly lifelike bionic "fake grandma" that left audiences amazed.

For Jiang, the Gala was more than just a stage to flaunt cutting-edge robotics. He wanted everyone to see that robots can be warm and interactive, not just technical marvels.

Behind the scenes, Noetix engineers meticulously crafted the bionic robot, starting with a 3D model of actress Cai Ming’s face and capturing her nuanced expressions. Dozens of prototypes were tested, experimenting with silicone materials, skin textures, and makeup techniques to achieve a perfect 1:1 replica.

"We didn't want to sacrifice the richness of facial expressions. We had to fit so many motors into such a small head [of the bionic robot], and still make the expressions look natural, with the mouth shapes just like those of a real person. The appearance had to be a 1:1 replica. Achieving all this in just over two months was a huge challenge," Jiang said.

He noted that one real test for robotics companies is how to integrate their products into real-life scenarios.

"Today, almost all robot companies need to answer how their products fit into real-world scenarios. For us, we are mainly looking at two big areas. One is education, including family companionship, and the other is entertainment, guiding, and reception," Jiang said.

Jiang also addressed the challenge of making humanoid robots accessible to ordinary families.

"The question we need to answer is that if we hope to enter households and let family users experience humanoid robots for the first time, what price should we set? If it's too expensive, it simply will not work. We want a price that is within the reach of families with some disposable income. 'Within reach' doesn't mean cheap, but it means our target customers can afford it. This isn't a price war to grab market shares, but an expansion of scenarios enabled by pricing," he said.

As humanoid robots move from dazzling gala performances to deeper roles in education, entertainment, and even elderly care, 2026 may well be remembered as a watershed year, Jiang said.

U.S. first-quarter GDP growth revised down to 1.6 pct annual rate

U.S. economic growth in the first quarter was significantly slower than initially estimated, while consumer inflation remained elevated in April, official data showed Thursday.

GDP expanded at an annual rate of just 1.6 percent in the first quarter, according to a revised reading from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The figure represents a sharp downgrade from the initial estimate of 2.0 percent, missing market consensus expectations that the earlier estimate would hold.

Meanwhile, inflation continued to hit consumer wallets. The personal consumption expenditures price index, which serves as the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent in April month on month. This puts the 12-month inflation rate at 3.8 percent, the department reported.

When excluding volatile food and energy costs, the core PCE price index rose 0.2 percent for the month and 3.3 percent annually. The monthly figure came in slightly below economists' estimate of 0.3 percent.

Despite the softer GDP reading and persistent inflation, U.S. consumer spending increased by 0.5 percent in April, meeting market forecasts. However, personal income remained flat, missing estimates for a 0.4 percent rise and signaling continued strain on household finances.

The fresh pricing data is expected to keep the Fed on the sidelines until the current wave of inflation subsides. Traders currently expect the central bank to remain on hold until at least late 2026, with markets pricing in the likelihood that the Fed's next policy move will be an interest rate increase, possibly in early 2027.