NOETIX Robotics, based in Beijing, is turning heads with their latest creation: the NOETIX N2. This humanoid robot isn’t just any robot—it can pull off continuous backflips with remarkable precision. Standing at 4.2 feet tall, the N2 is packed with advanced hardware that keeps it stable during these impressive acrobatics.
Jiang Zheyuan, who leads the technical team at NOETIX, shared some insights into the design process. Backflips are trickier than front flips because of how weight is distributed and the shape of human feet. So, the team had to be creative. By placing the robot’s joints closer to its center, they optimized its rotation. Jiang explained, “This joint isn’t connected to its thigh, but to its knee by a connecting rod. By moving the joint upward, we minimized the inertia of its legs.”
Crafted from lightweight materials and equipped with powerful rotors, the N2 is both agile and strong. You might have seen footage of the N2 nailing a flip and landing just like a gymnast. This wasn’t just luck—it’s the result of a lot of hard work and careful design.
On the move, the NOETIX N2 can hit speeds of 7.2 miles per hour, covering a 3.1-mile distance in about 26 minutes. Some leaked specs on social media reveal it’s powered by a NVIDIA Jetson processor and boasts an 18-degree-of-freedom body, weighing in at around 44 pounds (20 kg). With mass production on the horizon, NOETIX plans to price the N2 at roughly 39,000 yuan ($5,500).
Compact robots like the N2, Unitree Robotics’ G1, and Booster Robotics’ T1 are gaining popularity among researchers for their affordability and accessibility. While the N2 is groundbreaking, it’s not the first to do backflips. Last December, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas model pulled it off, and earlier in 2024, Unitree’s H1 also showed this skill. The H1 is taller at 5.9 feet and weighs 103 pounds, with motors that pack a punch at 360 Nm of peak torque. It even set a Guinness World Record for walking speed, clocking in at 7.38 miles per hour, beating Boston Dynamics’ Atlas record of 5.59 miles per hour.
As we look to the future, robots like the NOETIX N2 are setting the stage for exciting developments in robotics. They’re not just about performing tricks—they’re paving the way for new possibilities.
