Just a few months ago, Beijing-based Noetix Robotics was virtually unknown—a startup building miniature humanoids that looked more like cute toys than serious tech. Today, the picture is completely different: their robot N2 became the star of the world’s first robot half marathon, completing the 21-kilometer race and taking second place.
The race was broadcast on Chinese television, generating massive publicity. Noetix is now in talks for a $35 million investment and a company valuation of $200 million.
A company that recently struggled to land a single customer is now expanding its team, launching two new factories, and planning to produce up to 10,000 robots annually. Half of the workforce is focused solely on the new production line, where 10 N2 robots are assembled each day.
Why does this matter?
Because it shows how quickly things can change with the right moment and smart positioning. With a price point significantly lower than competitors like the Unitree G1, Noetix isn’t just selling robots anymore—they’re selling a story of success, innovation, and persistence.
In a world where everyone chases “big ideas,” sometimes it’s the small robot that makes the biggest leap.
In Brief: Tech World Highlights
- Cisco launched Foundation AI, a new cybersecurity-focused division aimed at developing and open-sourcing specialized AI models for cyber defense.
- Luma Labs released a new API for Ray2 Camera Concepts, enabling developers to integrate advanced AI video controls into their apps.
- Higgsfield AI introduced Iconic Scenes, a feature that recreates movie-like scenes using just one selfie with varied subjects.
- Sam Altman announced that OpenAI has officially pulled GPT-4o following personality-related issues, with a broader fix and public update expected later this week.
- Mastercard unveiled Agent Pay, a new agency payment program enabling AI agents to conduct secure transactions—Microsoft is the first major partner.
AI Trending Tools
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- Amazon Nova Sonic – Amazon’s Bedrock-based voice-to-voice AI engine.
- Gemini in Sheets – Access to Google’s Gemini AI models directly within Google Sheets.
